POWER STORAGE DEVICE, VEHICLE, POWER STORAGE DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM

Abstract

An electricity storage device (4) is provided with an electricity storage unit (1211) having a plurality of cells and a BMU (1212) for controlling the electricity storage unit (1211). The BMU (1212) is provided with an upper limit power acquiring unit (23) for acquiring, on the basis of the SOC and temperature of the electricity storage unit (1211), an upper limit power that is the upper limit of power output from the electricity storage unit (1211) or input to the electricity storage unit (1211).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power storage device, a vehicle, a power storage device control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been progress in the development of electric vehicles (EVs) and other electric vehicles that run on motors powered by battery electricity. In electric vehicles, when the power source of the battery runs out, it is necessary to charge the battery.

[0003] A battery has an upper limit on the power it can output or input. This upper limit varies depending on the environment, and using a battery beyond the upper limit accelerates battery degradation.

[0004] Some electric vehicles use detachable batteries. Therefore, the development of a battery sharing service, in which multiple users of devices that can be fitted with batteries share a detachable battery, is being considered. It is desirable for a battery sharing service to be applicable not only to the same type of electric vehicle, but also to other electric vehicles (e.g., motorcycles and automobiles, lawn mowers, etc.) and other devices (e.g., floodlights). However, even for detachable batteries, the device must be able to properly grasp the upper limit of power.

[0005] Patent Document 1 describes that in an electrically assisted bicycle, detailed control of vehicle travel can be achieved by communicating information between a battery controller and a vehicle controller. Specifically, the document describes that the battery management controller constantly monitors the battery state and performs various arithmetic operations, including determining the battery type, calculating the remaining battery capacity, calculating the maximum discharge current value for battery protection, determining whether to stop discharging, determining whether to prohibit discharging, and processing diagnostic information for fault diagnosis. Furthermore, the document describes that the vehicle controller performs various arithmetic operations, including determining a battery map, calculating a current command, controlling the battery current, stopping discharging, calculating the battery capacity, processing diagnostic information, and processing other arithmetic operations, based on various information from the battery management controller.

[0006] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes that in a vehicle equipped with a battery that is not a detachable battery, a battery ECU installed in the vehicle calculates an output upper limit value for a normal battery and bypasses an abnormal battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-122180 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-273417 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, in the electrically assisted bicycle of Patent Document 1, recalculation was required in the vehicle controller to obtain the upper limit power. The electric vehicle of Patent Document 2 is not equipped with a detachable battery in the first place, but even if it were possible to install a detachable battery, the upper limit output value would be calculated by the battery ECU of the electric vehicle.

[0009] When the upper limit power is calculated on the equipment side in which the storage device is installed in this way, there is no problem if only storage devices with fixed specifications are used. However, when using a storage device with unclear performance or a storage device whose performance changes each time it is installed, it is possible that the storage device will be used beyond its upper limit power, which will accelerate deterioration of the storage device.

[0010] The present invention provides a power storage device, a vehicle, a power storage device control method, and a program that can suppress deterioration of the power storage device regardless of the equipment in which the power storage device is installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention provides a power storage unit having a plurality of cells; a power storage control unit that controls the power storage unit, The power supply is detachably attached to the electric power device and is electrically connectable to the electric power device when attached to the electric power device, The power storage control unit includes an upper limit power acquisition unit that acquires upper limit power, which is an upper limit of power output from or input to the power storage unit, based on a state of the power storage unit. 、 The power storage device further includes an upper limit notification unit that transmits the upper limit power acquired by the upper limit power acquisition unit to the power device, or an upper limit power storage unit that stores the upper limit power so that it can be read by the power device. . The present invention also provides a power storage unit having a plurality of cells; a power storage control unit that controls the power storage unit, The power supply is detachably attached to the electric power device and is electrically connectable to the electric power device when attached to the electric power device, The power storage control unit an upper limit power acquisition unit that acquires upper limit power, which is an upper limit of power output from or input to the power storage unit, based on a state of the power storage unit; The power supply system further includes a requested power acquisition unit that acquires requested power correlated with a request for power from the power device to the power storage device.

[0012] The present invention also provides a mounting portion for mounting the above-mentioned power storage device; an electric power device electrically connected to the power storage device; A vehicle comprising: a wheel; The electric power equipment is an electric motor mechanically connected to the wheel. can be, The power storage device further includes a control unit that acquires the upper limit power from the upper limit power acquisition unit of the power storage device.

[0013] The power storage device control method of the present invention further comprises: The power supply is detachable from the power device, and when attached to the power device, a computer of a power storage device provided to be electrically connectable to the power device and having a power storage unit, acquiring an upper limit power that is an upper limit of power that can be output from or input to the power storage unit based on the state of the power storage unit; and, transmitting the acquired upper limit power to the electric power device or storing the upper limit power in a readable state by the electric power device; Equipped with. The power storage device control method of the present invention further comprises: a computer of a power storage device including a power storage unit, the computer being detachable from an electric power device and electrically connectable to the electric power device when attached to the electric power device; acquiring an upper limit power that is an upper limit of power that can be output from or input to the power storage unit based on a state of the power storage unit; and acquiring a requested power that correlates with a request for power from the power device to the power storage device.

[0014] The program of the present invention also includes: The power supply is detachable from the power device, and when attached to the power device, A computer of a power storage device that is electrically connectable to an electric power device and has a power storage unit, acquiring an upper limit power that is an upper limit of power that can be output from or input to the power storage unit based on the state of the power storage unit; and, transmitting the acquired upper limit power to the electric power device or storing the upper limit power in a readable state by the electric power device; Execute the following. The program of the present invention also includes: a computer of a power storage device including a power storage unit, the computer being detachably attached to an electric power device and electrically connectable to the electric power device when attached to the electric power device; acquiring an upper limit power that is an upper limit of power that can be output from or input to the power storage unit based on a state of the power storage unit; and acquiring a requested power correlated with a request for power from the power device to the power storage device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, deterioration of the power storage device is suppressed regardless of the equipment in which the power storage device is installed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view showing a vehicle 1 (electric motorcycle) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system 10 in the vehicle 1 of FIG. [Figure 3]12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a battery control unit 1212B of a BMU 1212. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing an upper limit power map. [Figure 5] 12 is a block diagram showing the relationship between a battery control unit 1212B of a BMU 1212 and a management unit 145 of an ECU 5 in power storage device protection control. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a block diagram showing the relationship between a battery control unit 1212B of a BMU 1212 and a management unit 145 of an ECU 5 in the power storage device protection control of a first modified example. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a block diagram showing the relationship between a battery control unit 1212B of a BMU 1212 and a management unit 145 of an ECU 5 in power storage device protection control according to a second modified example. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic side view showing a vehicle 1 (electric vehicle) according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system 10 in the vehicle 1 of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which m batteries of a power storage device 4 are connected in series. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which n batteries of a power storage device 4 are connected in parallel. [Figure 12] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which n series circuits, each having m batteries of the power storage device 4 connected in series, are connected in parallel. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the master battery and the slave battery in the battery connection mode of FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the master battery, semi-master battery, and slave battery in the battery connection mode of FIG. 12. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, an electric motorcycle (first embodiment) and an electric vehicle (second embodiment) will be described as examples of devices that can be equipped with a power storage device.

[0018] First Embodiment [vehicle] As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 1 according to this embodiment is a motorcycle including a motor 3 mechanically connected to a wheel 2 (rear wheel) to drive the wheel 2, a removable power storage device 4 electrically connectable to the motor 3 and supplying drive power to the motor 3, a battery mounting section 15 to which the power storage device 4 is attached, an ECU (Electric Control Unit) 5 to control the motor 3, a throttle 6 operated by a rider, a PDU (Power Drive Unit) 7 to drive the motor 3 in response to a torque command from the ECU 5, and a charging device 8 to charge the power storage device 4. The motor 3 is driven by the PDU 7 using power supplied from the power storage device 4 via an electric circuit 110 (FIG. 2), and the rotational power generated when the motor 3 is driven is transmitted to the wheel 2, thereby propelling the vehicle 1. The state of the mounted power storage device 4 is managed by a control system 10 (FIG. 2).

[0019] [Control system for power storage devices] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system 10. The control system 10 includes an electric circuit 110, a power storage device 4, a PDU 7, an ECU 5, and a sub-battery 9. The electric circuit 110 electrically connects the power storage device 4, a contactor 115, and the PDU 7. The connection shown in Fig. 2 illustrates an example in which the power storage device 4, the contactor 115, and the PDU 7 are connected in series.

[0020] At least the power storage device 4 and the ECU 5 are connected to a CAN-BUS (communication line) and communicate via the CAN-BUS. For example, a signal transmitted from the ECU 5 is transmitted via the CAN-BUS to each device capable of receiving the signal, such as the power storage device 4 and the PDU 7.

[0021] The power storage device 4 includes, for example, a battery 121. The power storage device 4 generates a predetermined voltage (for example, a nominal voltage of 48 V) by connecting multiple cells, such as lithium ion batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, or lead batteries, in series. The power from the battery 121 is supplied via an electric circuit 110 to a PDU 7 that controls the output of the motor 3, and is then converted from direct current to three-phase alternating current by the PDU 7, and then supplied to the motor 3, which is a three-phase alternating current motor. The PDU 7 is a so-called inverter.

[0022] Furthermore, the output voltage of the battery 121 is stepped down to a low voltage (for example, 12 V) by a DC-DC converter (not shown) and is supplied to control system components such as the ECU 5 and the sub-battery 9.

[0023] The battery 121 can be charged by a charging device 8 connected to an AC 100V power source, for example.

[0024] The contactor 115 is provided between the high potential side terminal 121P of the battery 121 and the PDU 7. The contactor 115 electrically connects and disconnects the high potential side terminal 122P of the battery 121 and the PDU 7. In a conductive state, the contactor 115 connects the power storage device 4 to the PDU 7. In a cut-off state, the contactor 115 disconnects the power storage device 4 from the PDU 7.

[0025] The battery 121 includes a power storage unit 1211, a BMU (Battery Managing Unit) 1212, a bidirectional switch 1213, an insulating unit 1214, a CAN-BUS transceiver 1215 (hereinafter referred to as the transceiver 1215), a power supply unit 1216, a high potential side terminal 121P, a low potential side terminal 121N, and a connector 121C, all of which are housed in a housing 40 (see FIG. 1).

[0026] The power storage unit 1211 forms a secondary battery with a plurality of cells connected in series. The bidirectional switch 1213 is provided on a power transmission path between the power storage unit 1211 and the PDU 7, and its conduction state is determined by the control of the BMU 1212 that manages the battery 121. The bidirectional switch 1213 is, for example, a field effect transistor (FET), a contactor, or a relay.

[0027] The BMU 1212, which will be described in detail later, detects the state of the power storage unit 1211 and notifies the ECU 5 and the like of the detected state. The operating state of the BMU 1212 is determined under control from the ECU 5 and the like, and the BMU 1212 controls the conduction state of the bidirectional switch 1213 in accordance with the determined operating state. The BMU 1212 monitors the charging and discharging status of the battery, the amount of stored power in the battery itself, the temperature, and the like. The results of the monitoring are shared with the ECU 5. The BMU limits the charging and discharging of the power storage unit 1211 and the like by controlling the bidirectional switch 1213 and the like in accordance with a control command from the ECU 5, which will be described later, or the above-mentioned monitoring results.

[0028] The insulator 1214 is configured with an optical coupler or the like. The insulator 1214 electrically insulates the BMU 1212 side from the connector 121C side with respect to signals between the BMU 1212 and the connector 121C. For example, the insulator 1214 electrically insulates and converts an activation signal ACT supplied from terminal a of the connector 121C to the BMU 1212, and supplies the signal to the BMU 1212. The terminal a of the connector 121C connected to the insulator 1214 is connected to the ECU 5 via an activation signal transmission line 1217. The insulator 1214 is also provided between the BMU 1212 and the transceiver 1215. The insulator 1214 electrically insulates and converts the signals between the BMU 1212 and the transceiver 1215.

[0029] The transceiver 1215 converts signals used for communication between the BMU 1212 and the ECU 5 and relays the signals bidirectionally. For example, the ECU 5 and the power storage device 4 communicate via a CAN-BUS in accordance with the CAN standard. In this case, the transceiver 1215 is provided on the connector 121C side with respect to the insulating part 1214. Terminals b and c of the connector 121C connected to the transceiver 1215 are connected to the CAN-BUS via a CAN communication line 1218. The transceiver 1215 satisfies the electrical connection conditions with the CAN-BUS (physical conditions of the CAN standard).

[0030] The power supply unit 1216 receives power from the power storage unit 1211 and supplies a portion of the power to the BMU 1212, the insulating unit 1214, etc. In other words, the power supply unit 1216 is provided on the power storage unit 1211 side with respect to the insulating unit 1214, and is electrically insulated from the connector 121C side.

[0031] As described above, the BMU 1212, which functions using power from the battery 121, and the transceiver 1215 are electrically isolated from each other by the insulating section 1214.

[0032] The high potential side terminal 121P is the positive electrode of the battery 121. The low potential side terminal 121N is the negative electrode of the battery 121. When the bidirectional switch 1213 is in a conductive state, a desired voltage is generated between the high potential side terminal 121P and the low potential side terminal 121N.

[0033] The connector 121C includes a plurality of signal terminals for transmitting and receiving signals for controlling the battery 121. For example, signals transmitted and received via the connector 121C include an activation signal ACT for activating the battery 121 and a signal for the BMU 1212 to communicate with the ECU 5. In addition to terminals for these signals, the connector 121C also includes a ground terminal and the like. The connector 121C described above is an example of a case where electrical signals are transmitted and received, and the present invention is not limited to this, and signals may also be transmitted and received optically.

[0034] [ECU] The ECU 5 includes an activation signal generation unit 141, a CAN-BUS transceiver 143 (hereinafter referred to as the transceiver 143), and a management unit 145.

[0035] The activation signal generation unit 141 generates an activation signal ACT for putting the power storage device 4 into a usable state. The activation signal generation unit 141 supplies the generated activation signal ACT to the battery 121 via an activation signal transmission line 1217.

[0036] The activation signal generating unit 141 determines that a voltage equivalent to the voltage supplied from the sub-battery 9 to the ECU 5 indicates that the activation signal ACT is in a significant state. In other words, when the activation signal ACT indicates a significant state, the activation signal generating unit 141 outputs a voltage equivalent to the voltage supplied from the sub-battery 160 to the ECU 5. For example, the activation signal generating unit 141 may include a switch (not shown) and generate the activation signal ACT by controlling the conductive state of the switch.

[0037] The transceiver 143 converts and bidirectionally relays signals used for communication between the BMU 1212 and the ECU 5. For example, the ECU 5 and the power storage device 4 communicate via a CAN-BUS in accordance with the CAN standard. In this case, the transceiver 143 satisfies the electrical connection conditions with the CAN-BUS (physical conditions of the CAN standard).

[0038] The management unit 145 associates the battery 120 that has received the activation signal ACT with the identification information of the battery 120, and assigns the identification information to each battery 120. The management unit 145 sends the identification information of the battery 120 to the BMU 1212 via the transceiver 1215 that is activated by the activation signal ACT. After completing the initialization process for the battery 120, the management unit 145 controls the contactor 115, the battery 120, the PDU 130, etc., based on the output request information input to the ECU 5.

[0039] The ECU 5 controls the power storage device 4, thereby regulating the charging and discharging of the power storage device 4.

[0040] The ECU 5 controls the contactor 115 to limit the supply of power to the power storage device 4. The ECU 5 controls the power that the PDU 7 supplies to the motor 3, thereby controlling the driving of the motor 3.

[0041] [BMU]

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the BMU 1212 includes an activation control unit 1212A, a battery control unit 1212B, and a communication control unit 1212C.

[0043] The activation control unit 1212A sets the state of the battery 121 to an activated state in which power can be output, based on the activation signal ACT supplied from the ECU 5. For example, the activation control unit 1212A detects that the activation signal ACT is in an active state and sets the state of the battery 121 to an activated state in which power can be output. The activation control unit 1212A detects that the activation signal ACT has become inactive and sets the state of the battery 121 to a deactivated state in which power is not output.

[0044] The communication control unit 1212C communicates with the ECU 5 in accordance with a predetermined protocol. For example, the communication control unit 1212C communicates information for controlling charging and discharging of the battery 121 with the ECU 5. The ECU 5 transmits identification information for identifying the battery 121, and the communication control unit 1212C stores the identification information notified from the ECU 5 in a storage area (not shown) in the BMU.

[0045] The battery control unit 1212B, which will be described in detail later, detects, for example, changes in the state (voltage, SOC, etc.) of each cell of the power storage unit 1211 and manages the upper limit voltage, which is the upper limit power value that is the upper limit of the power output from the power storage unit 1211. The battery control unit 1212B also controls the bidirectional switch 1213 to make the battery 121 available for use.

[0046] [Storage device protection control] Next, the power storage device protection control by the BMU 1212 and the ECU 5 will be described. Each functional unit of the BMU 1212 and the ECU 5 is realized, for example, by a central processing unit (CPU) executing a predetermined program (software). Furthermore, some or all of the functional units of the BMU 1212 and the ECU 5 may be realized by hardware such as a large-scale integration (LSI), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a graphics processing unit (GPU). Furthermore, some or all of the functional units of the BMU 1212 and the ECU 5 may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

[0047] 3, the battery control unit 1212B has, as its functional configuration, a state quantity acquisition unit 21, an OCV acquisition unit 22, and an upper limit power acquisition unit 23. In the present invention, the term "acquisition" is a concept that includes detection, sensing, calculation, estimation, etc.

[0048] The state quantity acquiring unit 21 acquires the current of the electric circuit 110, the closed circuit voltage CCV when the contactor 115 is in a conductive state, the temperature of the power storage unit 1211, and the state of charge (SOC) of the power storage unit 1211. The acquired current value, CCV, temperature, and SOC are output to the upper limit power acquiring unit 23 and also sent to the ECU 5 via the CAN-BUS.

[0049] The OCV acquisition unit 22 acquires the open circuit voltage OCV of the power storage unit 1211. The acquired OCV is output to the upper limit power acquisition unit 23 and also sent to the ECU 5 via the CAN-BUS.

[0050] The upper limit power acquisition unit 23 acquires the upper limit power, which is the upper limit of the power output from or input to the power storage unit 1211, based on the state quantity information of the power storage unit 1211 input from the state quantity acquisition unit 21 and the OCV acquisition unit 22. In the following explanation, the upper limit power during discharging will be explained, but the same applies to the upper limit power during charging.

[0051] The upper limit power acquisition unit 23 acquires the upper limit power using an upper limit power map showing the relationship between the SOC and temperature and the upper limit power, as shown in FIG. 4, for example. In FIG. 4, P1 to P4 (kW) indicate upper limit powers, for example, P4 (kW) > P3 (kW) > P2 (kW) > P1 (kW). The acquired upper limit power is sent to the ECU 5 via the CAN-BUS. The battery control unit 1212B may store the upper limit power in a storage area (not shown) in the BMU so that the ECU 5 can read it. The upper limit power acquisition unit 23 may also calculate the upper limit power based on state quantity information of the power storage unit 1211 using a preset arithmetic expression. The BMU 1212B may include not only the upper limit power acquisition unit 23 that acquires the upper limit power, but also a lower limit power acquisition unit that acquires a lower limit power that is the lower limit of the power output from or input to the power storage unit 1211.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, the management unit 145 of the ECU 5 includes a required torque acquisition unit 31 and a torque limit determination unit 32 as functional components.

[0053] The required torque obtaining unit 31 obtains the required torque for the motor 3 based on throttle angle information input from the throttle 6 and the rotation speed of the wheels 2 input from a rotation speed sensor or the like. The required torque obtaining unit 31 obtains the required torque using, for example, a required torque map that indicates the relationship between the throttle angle, the wheel rotation speed, and the required torque. The obtained required torque is output to the torque limit determination unit 32.

[0054] The torque limit determination unit 32 receives the required torque from the required torque acquisition unit 31, and also receives the upper limit power from the battery control unit 1212B of the power storage device 4. If the battery control unit 1212B stores the upper limit power in a memory area (not shown) in the BMU, the torque limit determination unit 32 retrieves the upper limit power instead of receiving the upper limit power. The torque limit determination unit 32 determines the output torque based on the acquired required torque and upper limit power, and outputs this as a torque command to the PDU 7.

[0055] With such a power storage device 4, the power storage device 4 holds the upper limit power, which can prevent the power storage device 4 from being used in excess of the upper limit power, thereby extending the life of the power storage device 4. In other words, if the upper limit power is set on the device to which the power storage device is attached, there is no problem when only power storage devices with fixed specifications are used. However, when using a power storage device with uncertain performance or a power storage device whose performance varies each time it is attached, a situation in which the power storage device is used in excess of the upper limit power is expected, which accelerates deterioration of the power storage device. As in the above-described embodiment, the power storage device 4 obtains the upper limit power and transmits it to the device, which can prevent the power storage device 4 from being used in excess of the upper limit power.

[0056] Furthermore, if power storage devices that maintain a maximum power limit become commonplace, devices equipped with the power storage device will be able to drive and control the device in accordance with the maximum power limit of the power storage device, eliminating the need to rewrite programs to match the specifications of the power storage device. This is expected to lead to a wider range of devices equipped with the power storage device 4, leading to the development of battery sharing services.

[0057] [First Modification] FIG. 6 is a block diagram relating to power storage device protection control according to a first modification of the first embodiment. The ECU 5 of the first modified example includes a required power calculation unit 33 in addition to a required torque acquisition unit 31 and a torque limit determination unit 32. The required torque acquisition unit 31 outputs the acquired required torque to the required power calculation unit 33 and the torque limit determination unit 32. The required power calculation unit 33 calculates required power that correlates with the power request of the motor 3 to the power storage device 4, based on the required torque acquired by the required torque acquisition unit 31.

[0058] The battery control unit 1212B of the BMU 1212 includes a required power acquisition unit 24, a power comparison unit 25, and a power storage device protection unit 26, in addition to the state quantity acquisition unit 21, the OCV acquisition unit 22, and the upper limit power acquisition unit 23. The required power acquisition unit 24 acquires the required power from the required power calculation unit 33 of the ECU 5 via the CAN-BUS. That is, the required power acquisition unit 24 acquires the power required of the power storage device 4 of the motor 3 based on an input (throttle rotation) from the user of the vehicle 1 equipped with the motor 3. The power comparison unit 25 acquires the upper limit power acquired by the upper limit power acquisition unit 23, and compares the required power acquired by the required power acquisition unit 24 with the upper limit power acquired from the upper limit power acquisition unit 23.

[0059] As a result, when the requested power acquired by requested power acquisition unit 24 exceeds or is predicted to exceed the upper limit power acquired from upper limit power acquisition unit 23, power storage device protection unit 26 cuts off the power transmission path between power storage unit 1211 and PDU 7 using bidirectional switch 1213. Note that, instead of cutting off the power transmission path between power storage unit 1211 and PDU 7 using bidirectional switch 1213, power storage device protection unit 26 may prohibit discharging from battery 121 or may limit the power output from battery 121 so as not to exceed the upper limit power. Note that, in vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, when cutting off the power transmission path between power storage unit 1211 and PDU 7 is not desirable for vehicle behavior, for example, when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, it is preferable to postpone cutting off for a predetermined time.

[0060] According to this modified example, the storage device protection unit 26 can cut off the power transmission path between the storage device 1211 and the PDU 7 regardless of the judgment of the torque limit judgment unit 32, thereby more reliably avoiding a situation in which the storage device 4 is used in excess of the upper limit power.

[0061] [Second Modification] FIG. 7 is a block diagram relating to power storage device protection control according to a second modification of the first embodiment. Similar to the first modification, the ECU 5 of the second modification includes a required power calculation unit 33 in addition to a required torque acquisition unit 31 and a torque limit determination unit 32. The required torque acquisition unit 31 outputs the acquired required torque to the required power calculation unit 33 and the torque limit determination unit 32. The required power calculation unit 33 calculates required power that correlates with the power request of the motor 3 to the power storage device 4, based on the required torque acquired by the required torque acquisition unit 31.

[0062] Similar to the first modification, the battery control unit 1212B of the BMU 1212 of the second modification includes a required power acquisition unit 24, a power comparison unit 25, and a power storage device protection unit 26 in addition to the state quantity acquisition unit 21, the OCV acquisition unit 22, and the upper limit power acquisition unit 23, and further includes a response unit 27. The required power acquisition unit 24 acquires the required power from the required power calculation unit 33 of the ECU 5 via the CAN-BUS. The power comparison unit 25 acquires the upper limit power acquired by the upper limit power acquisition unit 23, and compares the required power acquired by the required power acquisition unit 24 with the upper limit power acquired from the upper limit power acquisition unit 23.

[0063] As a result, when the required power acquired by the required power acquisition unit 24 exceeds the upper limit power acquired from the upper limit power acquisition unit 23, or when it is predicted that it will exceed the upper limit power, the response unit 27 responds to the torque limit determination unit 32 to reduce the required power.

[0064] When torque limit determination unit 32 does not respond to the response from response unit 27, that is, when power higher than the upper limit power is output from battery 121 or when it is predicted that power will be output, power storage device protection unit 26 cuts off the power transmission path between power storage unit 1211 and PDU 7 using bidirectional switch 1213. Note that instead of cutting off the power transmission path between power storage unit 1211 and PDU 7 using bidirectional switch 1213, power storage device protection unit 26 may prohibit discharging from battery 121 or may limit the power output from battery 121 so as not to exceed the upper limit power. Note that in vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, if cutting off the power transmission path between power storage unit 1211 and PDU 7 is not desirable for vehicle behavior, it is preferable to postpone cutting off the power transmission path for a predetermined time.

[0065] Second Embodiment Next, a vehicle 1 according to a second embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the vehicle 1 of this embodiment is an electric vehicle including a motor 3 mechanically connected to one of the front and / or rear wheels 2 of four wheels 2 to drive the wheels 2, a removable power storage device 4 electrically connectable to the motor 3 and supplying drive power to the motor 3, a battery mounting section 15 to which the power storage device 4 is attached, an ECU (Electric Control Unit) 5 that controls the motor 3, an accelerator pedal 16 operated by a passenger, a PDU (Power Drive Unit) 7 that drives the motor 3 in response to a torque command from the ECU 5, and a charging device (not shown) that charges the power storage device 4. The vehicle 1 is driven by the PDU 7 using power supplied via an electric circuit 110 from the power storage device 4, which includes multiple (four in this embodiment) batteries. The vehicle travels by transmitting the rotational power generated by the driven motor 3 to the wheels 2. The state of the onboard power storage device 4 is managed by a control system 10.

[0066] The four batteries are mounted in four battery mounting sections 15 arranged in a row at the rear of the vehicle 1. It is not necessary to mount all four batteries.

[0067] The control system 10 is basically the same as the control system 10 of the first embodiment, but the following description will focus on the differences due to the power storage device 4 including a plurality of batteries (four in this embodiment).

[0068] The activation signal transmission lines 1217, 1227 for supplying the activation signal ACT are wired differently for each battery. This allows the activation signal generation unit 141 to activate (start) the batteries individually. The management unit 145 assigns identification information to each battery and sends the battery identification information to the communication control units 1212C, 1222C of the BMUs 1212, 1222 via the transceivers 1215, 1225 activated by the activation signal ACT.

[0069] The identification information includes information on whether the battery is a master or slave battery, and order information. The order information may be, for example, a priority order or a subordinate order, but it is merely a matter of convenience for management purposes and does not indicate superiority or inferiority in performance, etc. It is preferable that the information on whether the battery is a master or slave battery is associated with this order information.

[0070] For example, the batteries attached to the four battery attachment sections 15 are numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4 in ascending order from the left, with battery number 1 being the master battery and the remaining batteries being slave batteries. By associating the information on whether a battery is a master or slave battery with this order information, the load on the management section 145 is reduced.

[0071] Each battery acquires its own sequence information and information on whether it is a master battery or a slave battery associated with the sequence information based on the identification information supplied from the ECU 5. In addition to the identification information, each battery also acquires information on the number of batteries installed and whether the batteries are connected in parallel, in series, or in a combination of these.

[0072] The four batteries of the power storage device 4 have the same configuration. That is, the master battery 121 includes a power storage unit 1211, a BMU (Battery Managing Unit) 1212, a bidirectional switch 1213, an insulator 1214, a transceiver 1215, a power supply unit 1216, a high-potential side terminal 121P, a low-potential side terminal 121N, and a connector 121C, all of which are housed in a housing. Each slave battery 122 includes a power storage unit 1221, a BMU (Battery Managing Unit) 1222, a bidirectional switch 1223, an insulator 1224, a CAN-BUS transceiver 1225 (hereinafter referred to as the transceiver 1225), a power supply unit 1226, a high-potential side terminal 122P, a low-potential side terminal 122N, and a connector 122C, all of which are housed in a housing.

[0073] The BMU of the master battery 121 is the master BMU 1212, and the BMU of the slave battery 122 is the slave BMU 1222. The master BMU 1212 aggregates information from the slave BMUs 1222 and communicates with the ECU 5. Communication between the master BMU 1212 and the slave BMU 1222 may be via a CAN-BUS, or each battery 121, 122 may be provided with a wireless communication unit capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from each other wirelessly, and communication may be performed via the wireless communication unit. By providing the wireless communication unit, accurate and stable communication can be performed without relying on the CAN-BUS.

[0074] The upper limit power acquisition unit 23 of the master BMU 1212 functions as an overall upper limit power acquisition unit that acquires overall upper limit power, which is the upper limit of power output from all of the power storage devices 4. That is, the upper limit power acquisition unit 23 of each slave battery 122 acquires the upper limit power of each slave battery and transmits the acquired upper limit power to the upper limit power acquisition unit 23 of the master BMU 1212. The upper limit power acquisition unit 23 of the master BMU 1212 acquires the upper limit power of the master BMU 1212, and also acquires the overall upper limit power from the upper limit power of the slave batteries 122 acquired from the upper limit power acquisition unit 23 of each slave battery 122. Below, a method for calculating the overall upper limit power will be explained by generalizing the number of batteries.

[0075] As shown in Figure 10, when m batteries are connected in series, the total upper limit power (PW limit直 ) is expressed by the following equation (1).

[0076]

number

[0077] That is, the upper limit power acquisition unit 23 of the master BMU 1212 acquires the upper limit power (PW limm ) (Min(PW lim1 , P.W. lim2 , ..., P.W. limm )) by the number of batteries connected in series (m) to obtain the total upper limit power (PW limit直 ) is calculated.

[0078] As shown in Figure 11, when n batteries are connected in parallel, the total upper limit power (PW limit並 ) is expressed by the following equation (2).

[0079]

number

[0080] That is, the upper limit power acquisition unit 23 of the master BMU 1212 acquires the smallest upper limit power (Min(PW lim1 , P.W. lim2 , ..., PW limn )) is multiplied by the number of batteries (n) connected in parallel. Then the sum of the currents of each battery is calculated. TIFF0007789562000003.tif11157, and the current (I n ) the largest of TIFF0007789562000004.tif970 is multiplied by the number of batteries (n) connected in parallel, and then divided by the result. Then, multiplying these results, we get the total upper limit power (PW limit並 ) is calculated.

[0081] If a battery connected in parallel fails (e.g., power cannot be input or output), the master BMU1212 excludes the failed battery and limits the overall power limit (PW limit並 ) in the case where the batteries are connected in series as shown in FIG. 10, if the vehicle 1 is provided with a bypass mechanism for bypassing a failed battery, the master BMU 1212 will set the total upper limit power (PW limit並 A battery failure that disables the input or output of power can be detected by a voltage sensor (not shown).

[0082] As shown in Figure 12, when n series circuits each having m batteries connected in series are connected in parallel, the total upper limit power (PW limit直並 ) is expressed by the following equation (3).

[0083]

number

[0084] That is, the upper limit power acquisition unit 23 of the master BMU 1212 acquires the upper limit power (PW) of each battery in the series circuit. lim直m ) (Min(PW lim直1 , P.W. lim直2 , ..., PW lim直n )) is multiplied by the number of batteries connected in series (m). Then, the average current of each series circuit (I aven ) TIFF0007789562000006.tif12131, and calculate the average current (I aven ) the largest of The number of series circuits connected in parallel in TIFF0007789562000007.tif12135 (n 並 ) and divide by the product of these. Then multiply these to get the total upper limit power (PW limit直並 ) is calculated.

[0085] When n series circuits, each having m batteries connected in series, are connected in parallel as shown in FIG. 12, one battery is designated as a master battery 121 and all the remaining batteries are designated as slave batteries 122 as shown in FIG. 13. The master BMU 1212 receives the upper limit power from each slave BMU 1222 and calculates the total upper limit power (PW limit直並 ) may be calculated.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 14, one of the slave batteries 122 constituting the series circuit is designated as a semi-master battery, and the BMU 1222 of the master battery and the semi-master battery controls the upper limit power (PW) of each series circuit. limit直 ) and the master BMU1212 calculates the upper limit power (PW limit直 ) to the total upper limit power (PW limit直並 ) may be calculated.

[0087] In this way, even when the power storage device 4 includes a plurality of batteries, the master battery 121 holds the total upper limit power, so that even if the device to which the power storage device 4 is attached changes, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the power storage device 4 is used beyond the total upper limit power. This makes it possible to extend the life of the power storage device 4 and increase the variety of devices that can be installed in the power storage device 4.

[0088] Furthermore, the first modified example of the first embodiment described above can be applied to the second embodiment. That is, each battery includes a required power acquisition unit 24, a power comparison unit 25, and a power storage device protection unit 26 in addition to a state quantity acquisition unit 21, an OCV acquisition unit 22, and an upper limit power acquisition unit 23. The required power acquisition unit 24 of the master BMU 1212 of the master battery 121 acquires the required power from the required power calculation unit 33 of the ECU 5 via the CAN-BUS. The power comparison unit 25 of the master BMU 1212 acquires the total upper limit power acquired by the upper limit power acquisition unit 23 of the master BMU 1212, and compares the required power acquired by the required power acquisition unit 24 of the master BMU 1212 with the total upper limit power acquired from the upper limit power acquisition unit 23 of the master BMU 1212.

[0089] As a result, when the required power exceeds the total upper limit power, or when it is predicted that it will exceed the total upper limit power, the power storage device protection unit 26 of the master BMU 1212 cuts off the power transmission path between the power storage unit 1221 and the PDU 7 using the bidirectional switch 1213, and requests protection from the battery control unit 1222B of each slave battery 1222. The power storage device protection unit 26 of each slave battery 1222 that has received the protection request cuts off the power transmission path between the power storage unit 1221 and the PDU 7 using the bidirectional switch 1223.

[0090] Similarly, the second modified example of the first embodiment described above can be applied to the second embodiment. Each battery includes a required power acquisition unit 24, a power comparison unit 25, and a power storage device protection unit 26 in addition to a state quantity acquisition unit 21, an OCV acquisition unit 22, and an upper limit power acquisition unit 23, and further includes a response unit 27. The required power acquisition unit 24 of the master BMU 1212 of the master battery 121 acquires the required power from the required power calculation unit 33 of the ECU 5 via the CAN-BUS. The power comparison unit 25 of the master BMU 1212 acquires the total upper limit power acquired by the upper limit power acquisition unit 23 of the master BMU 1212, and compares the required power acquired by the required power acquisition unit 24 of the master BMU 1212 with the total upper limit power acquired from the upper limit power acquisition unit 23 of the master BMU 1212.

[0091] As a result, when the required power exceeds the total upper limit power or when it is predicted that it will exceed the total upper limit power, the response unit 27 of the master BMU 1212 responds to the torque limit determination unit 32 to lower the required power. If the torque limit determination unit 32 does not comply with the response from the response unit 27, that is, when power higher than the total upper limit power is output from the battery 121 or when it is predicted that power will be output, the power storage device protection unit 26 of the master BMU 1212 uses the bidirectional switch 1213 to block the power transmission path between the power storage unit 1221 and the PDU 7 and requests protection from the battery control unit 1222B of each slave battery 1222. The power storage device protection unit 26 of each slave battery 1222 that has received the protection request then uses the bidirectional switch 1223 to block the power transmission path between the power storage unit 1221 and the PDU 7.

[0092] In this way, the master BMU 1212 communicates with the ECU 5 on behalf of the other batteries, thereby prohibiting each battery from communicating with the ECU 5 individually, thereby reducing the load on the ECU 5.

[0093] Furthermore, each battery 121, 122 can communicate with the other batteries via a communication control unit 1212C, 1222C or a wireless communication unit, and the master BMU 1212 of the master battery 121 preferably includes an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality in the slave battery 122. The master BMU 1212 can detect an abnormality in the slave battery 122 based on communication with the slave BMU 1222 via the CAN-BUS or wireless communication. This allows the upper limit power acquisition unit 23 of the master BMU 1212 to acquire the total upper limit power while excluding the slave battery 122 that has an abnormality, as described above.

[0094] On the other hand, the slave BMU 1222 of the slave battery 122 preferably includes a monitoring unit that monitors the master battery 121 for abnormalities or receives notification that the master battery 121 has an abnormality. The slave BMU 1222 can detect an abnormality in the master battery 121 based on communication with the master BMU 1212 via CAN-BUS or wireless communication. When the slave battery 122 detects that the master battery 121 has an abnormality or that the upper limit power acquisition unit 23 functioning as the overall upper limit power acquisition unit of the master BMU 1212 cannot acquire the overall upper limit power, it is preferable that the upper limit power acquisition unit 23 of the slave BMU 1222 of one of the slave batteries 122 functions as a substitute overall upper limit power acquisition unit that acquires the overall upper limit power. This allows smooth communication with the ECU 5 of the vehicle 1 even when an abnormality occurs in the master battery 121.

[0095] If the abnormality in the master battery 121 is such that power cannot be input or output, but the processing and communication functions are normal, the master BMU 1212 of the master battery 121 may continue to function as a total upper limit power acquisition unit.

[0096] Furthermore, it is preferable that each battery has a self-abnormality detection unit that detects its own abnormality through communication with other batteries via CAN-BUS or wireless communication. This allows the master battery 121 to monitor its own abnormality. If the master BMU 1212 detects an abnormality in the master battery 121 itself, it can cause one of the slave batteries 122 to function as a substitute total upper limit power acquisition unit. Furthermore, even if an abnormality in the master battery 121 itself is detected, if it is determined that control of the master BMU 1212 can be continued, the upper limit power acquisition unit 23 of the master BMU 1212 can continue to acquire the total upper limit power as the total upper limit power acquisition unit.

[0097] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components of the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0098] In the above embodiments, an electric two-wheeled vehicle (first embodiment) and an electric car (second embodiment) are exemplified as vehicles that can be equipped with a power storage device, but vehicles that can be equipped with a power storage device may also be electrically assisted bicycles, electric tricycles, hybrid cars, fuel cell cars, etc. Furthermore, the power equipment on which the power storage device is installed is not limited to vehicles, and may also be other moving objects such as airplanes and lawn mowers, or may even be power consuming devices that are not mobile, such as chargers and dischargers, floodlights, etc.

[0099] Furthermore, each battery constituting the power storage device 4 may include a current regulator, a DC-DC converter, and the like.

[0100] This specification describes at least the following items. Note that the components in parentheses correspond to those in the above-described embodiment, but are not limited to these.

[0101] (1) a power storage unit (power storage unit 1211, 12221) having a plurality of cells; a power storage control unit (BMU1212, 1222) that controls the power storage unit, The power storage control unit is provided with an upper limit power acquisition unit (upper limit power acquisition unit 23) that acquires upper limit power, which is the upper limit of power output from or input to the power storage unit, based on the state (SOC, temperature) of the power storage unit.

[0102] According to (1), by the power storage device acquiring the upper limit power, it is possible to avoid a situation where the power storage device is used beyond its upper limit power even when the device to which the power storage device is attached changes. This suppresses deterioration of the power storage device and extends the life of the power storage device.

[0103] (2) The power storage device according to (1), The power storage device is provided so as to be electrically connectable to an electric power device (motor 3), The power storage device further includes an upper limit notification unit (communication control unit 1212C, 1222C) that transmits the upper limit power acquired by the upper limit power acquisition unit to the power equipment, or an upper limit power memory unit (memory area) that stores the upper limit power so that it can be read by the power equipment.

[0104] According to (2), the upper limit notification unit notifies the upper limit power to the power equipment to which the storage device is connected, or the upper limit power memory unit stores the upper limit power in a readable manner, so that the power equipment can obtain the upper limit power of the storage device.

[0105] (3) The electricity storage device according to (1) or (2), The power storage device is provided so as to be electrically connectable to an electric power device (motor 3), The power storage control unit further includes a requested power acquisition unit (requested power acquisition unit 24) that acquires requested power correlated with the power request of the power device to the power storage device.

[0106] According to (3), the power storage device can obtain the power required by the power equipment for the power storage device.

[0107] (4) The power storage device according to (3), a power comparison unit (power comparison unit 25) that compares the requested power acquired by the requested power acquisition unit with the upper limit power acquired by the upper limit power acquisition unit; The energy storage device further includes a power storage device protection unit (power storage device protection unit 26) that protects the energy storage unit from outputting power exceeding the upper limit power when the required power exceeds the upper limit power or when it is predicted that the required power will exceed the upper limit power, and protects the energy storage unit from inputting power exceeding the upper limit power.

[0108] According to (4), the power storage device can be prevented from being used in excess of the upper limit power by the power storage device protection unit.

[0109] (5) The power storage device according to (4), The power supply system further includes a switch (bidirectional switches 1213, 1223) disposed on a power transmission path between the power storage unit and the power device and configured to be able to interrupt and connect the power transmission path, The power storage device protection unit cuts off the power transmission path by the switch when the required power exceeds the upper limit power or when it is predicted that the required power will exceed the upper limit power.

[0110] According to (5), by cutting off the power transmission path with the switch, it is possible to prevent the power storage device from being used in excess of the upper limit power.

[0111] (6) The electricity storage device according to any one of (3) to (5), a power comparison unit (power comparison unit 25) that compares the requested power acquired by the requested power acquisition unit with the upper limit power acquired by the upper limit power acquisition unit; The power storage device further includes a response unit (response unit 27) that responds to the power device to lower the required power when the required power exceeds the upper limit power or when it is predicted that the required power will exceed the upper limit power.

[0112] According to (6), the response unit can prevent the power storage device from being used in excess of the upper limit power.

[0113] (7) The electricity storage device according to any one of (3) to (6), The power storage device, wherein the requested power acquisition unit acquires the requested power based on an input from a user of the power device.

[0114] According to (7), the requested power acquisition unit can acquire the requested power based on input from the user of the power device, such as turning the throttle or pressing the accelerator.

[0115] (8) The electricity storage device according to any one of (1) to (7), The power storage device, wherein the upper limit power acquisition unit acquires the upper limit power based on a predetermined upper limit power map including a relationship between the state of the power storage unit and the upper limit power.

[0116] According to (8), by acquiring the upper limit power based on the upper limit power map, the load required to acquire the upper limit power can be reduced.

[0117] (9) The electricity storage device according to (8), The state of the power storage unit includes a state of capacity (SOC) or a temperature state (temperature).

[0118] According to (9), it is possible to appropriately acquire the upper limit power of the power storage device, which changes depending on the capacity state and temperature state of the power storage unit.

[0119] (10) The electricity storage device according to any one of (1) to (9), The power storage device includes a housing (housing 40), The power storage device, wherein the power storage unit and the power storage control unit are housed in the housing.

[0120] According to (10), the power storage unit and the power storage control unit can be handled as an integrated unit.

[0121] (11) A power storage device according to any one of (1) to (10), A representative control unit (master BMU 1212) that is the power storage control unit of a representative power storage device (master battery 121) that is one of the plurality of power storage devices, The power storage device includes a total upper limit power acquisition unit (upper limit power acquisition unit 23) that acquires total upper limit power, which is the upper limit of power output from or input to all of the plurality of power storage devices.

[0122] According to (11), since the representative power storage device among the plurality of power storage devices maintains the total upper limit power, it is possible to avoid a situation where the power storage devices are used at a power consumption exceeding the total upper limit power even if the device to which the power storage devices are attached changes. This suppresses deterioration of the power storage devices and extends the life of the power storage devices.

[0123] (12) The electricity storage device according to (11), The total upper limit power acquisition unit acquires the smallest upper limit power (Min(PW lim1 , P.W. lim2 , ..., PW limn ) The power storage device obtains the total upper limit power based on

[0124] According to (12), when multiple storage devices are electrically connected to each other in series, by obtaining the total upper limit power based on the smallest upper limit power, it is possible to avoid a situation where the storage devices are used in excess of their total upper limit power.

[0125] (13) The electricity storage device according to (12), When the plurality of power storage devices are electrically connected in parallel with each other, The total upper limit power acquisition unit calculates the output current (I n ) or the input current, whichever is the largest The storage device further obtains the total upper limit power based on TIFF0007789562000008.tif989.

[0126] According to (13), when multiple storage devices are electrically connected in parallel with each other, by obtaining the total upper limit power based on the smallest upper limit power of each of the multiple storage devices and the largest output current or input current of each of the multiple storage devices, it is possible to avoid a situation where the storage devices are used in excess of their total upper limit power.

[0127] (14) The electricity storage device according to any one of (11) to (13), The plurality of power storage devices are provided so as to be electrically connectable to an electric power device (motor 3), the representative power storage device further includes a requested power acquisition unit (request power acquisition unit 24) that acquires requested power correlated with the power requests of the power devices to the plurality of power storage devices, The required power acquired by the required power acquisition unit is When the total upper limit power acquired by the total upper limit power acquisition unit is exceeded or when it is predicted that the total upper limit power will be exceeded, The power storage device further includes an instruction unit (power storage device protection unit 26) that instructs protection to non-representative power storage devices (slave batteries 122) that are power storage devices other than the representative power storage device among the plurality of power storage devices.

[0128] According to (14), it is possible to prevent the non-representative power storage devices from being used in excess of their upper limit power.

[0129] (15) The electricity storage device according to any one of (11) to (14), the representative control unit further includes an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality in a non-representative power storage device (slave battery 122) that is a power storage device other than the representative power storage device among the plurality of power storage devices, When the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormality in the non-representative power storage device, The power storage device acquires the total upper limit power while excluding the non-representative power storage device in which the abnormality has been detected.

[0130] According to (15), the representative control unit obtains the total upper limit power while excluding the non-representative power storage device that has an abnormality, so that the total upper limit power can be obtained appropriately.

[0131] (16) The electricity storage device according to any one of (11) to (15), the representative power storage device further includes a self-abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality in the representative power storage device; When the self abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality in the representative power storage device, When it is determined that the control of the representative control unit can be continued, the power storage device continues to acquire the upper limit power by the entire upper limit power acquisition unit.

[0132] According to (16), even if the representative control unit is unable to input or output power, it can maintain its function as the representative control unit and can smoothly communicate with the power devices.

[0133] (17) The electricity storage device according to any one of (11) to (16), A non-representative storage device (slave battery 122) that is a storage device other than the representative storage device among the plurality of storage devices further includes a monitoring unit that monitors the status of the representative storage device or receives notification that the representative storage device is abnormal.

[0134] According to (17), the non-representative energy storage devices can grasp the state of the representative energy storage device.

[0135] (18) The electricity storage device according to (17), When the monitoring unit detects that the representative power storage device is abnormal or the total upper limit power acquisition unit cannot acquire the total upper limit power, the non-representative power storage device The power storage device includes an alternative total upper limit power acquisition unit (upper limit power acquisition unit 23) that acquires the total upper limit power.

[0136] According to (18), by having one of the non-representative storage devices function as an acting overall upper limit power acquisition unit, power can be exchanged smoothly with the power equipment even when an abnormality occurs in the representative storage device.

[0137] (19) The electricity storage device according to any one of (11) to (18), The plurality of power storage devices are provided so as to be electrically connectable to an electric power device (motor 3), The plurality of power storage devices further include a receiving unit (CAN-BUS transceiver 1215, 1225) for receiving superiority / inferiority information capable of identifying the priority / inferiority order (order information) of the plurality of power storage devices transmitted by the power equipment.

[0138] According to (19), each power storage device can recognize its superiority information.

[0139] (20) The electricity storage device according to (19), The plurality of power storage devices further include a recognition unit (communication control units 1212C, 1222C) that recognizes that the power storage device is the representative power storage device based on the superiority / inferiority information received by the receiving unit.

[0140] According to (20), any one of the plurality of power storage devices can function as the representative power storage device.

[0141] (21) The electricity storage device according to any one of (11) to (20), The plurality of power storage devices further include wireless communication units capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from each other wirelessly.

[0142] According to (21), information can be exchanged without depending on the communication path of the power equipment, and the upper limit power can be obtained and managed accurately and stably.

[0143] (22) A mounting section (battery mounting section 15) for mounting the electricity storage device according to any one of (1) to (21); an electric power device (motor 3) electrically connected to the power storage device; A vehicle (vehicle 1) having a wheel (wheel 2), The electric power device is an electric motor (motor 3) mechanically connected to the wheels of the vehicle.

[0144] According to (22), when the capacity of the power storage device runs out, the user can simply replace the power storage device, improving the convenience of the vehicle. In addition, by receiving the upper limit power of the power storage device, the vehicle can recognize the upper limit power of the power storage device, and by using the power storage device at or below the upper limit power, the life of the power storage device can be extended.

[0145] (23) A computer of a power storage device that is electrically connectable to an electric power device and has a power storage unit, A power storage device control method comprising: acquiring an upper limit power, which is an upper limit of power output from or input to the power storage unit, based on a state of the power storage unit.

[0146] According to (23), by the power storage device acquiring the upper limit power, it is possible to avoid a situation where the power storage device is used beyond its upper limit power even if the device to which the power storage device is attached changes. This makes it possible to extend the life of the power storage device and increase the variety of devices that can be installed in it.

[0147] (24) A computer of a power storage device that is electrically connectable to an electric power device and has a power storage unit, a program for executing a step of acquiring an upper limit power, which is an upper limit of power output from or input to the power storage unit, based on a state of the power storage unit;

[0148] According to (24), by having the power storage device acquire the upper limit power, it is possible to avoid a situation where the power storage device is used beyond its upper limit power even if the device to which the power storage device is attached changes. This makes it possible to extend the life of the power storage device and increase the variety of devices that can be installed in it.

[0149] This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Patent Application No. 2019-225690) filed on December 13, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 1 vehicle 2 wheels 3. Motors (electric power equipment) 4. Energy storage device 15 Battery mounting section (mounting section) 23 Upper limit power acquisition unit (upper limit power acquisition unit, overall upper limit power acquisition unit, proxy overall upper limit power acquisition unit) 24 Requested power acquisition unit 25 Power comparison section 26 Storage device protection unit (storage device protection unit, instruction unit) 27 Response section 121 Battery, master battery (power storage device, representative power storage device) 122 Slave battery (non-representative storage device) 1211, 1221 Power storage unit 1212 BMU, Master BMU (storage control unit, representative control unit) 1212C, 1222C Communication control unit (recognition unit) 1213, 1223 Two-way switch (switchgear) 1215, 1225 CAN-BUS transceiver (receiver) 1212 BMU, Master BMU (storage control unit, representative control unit)

Claims

1. a power storage unit having a plurality of cells; a power storage control unit that controls the power storage unit, The power supply is detachably attached to the electric power device and is electrically connectable to the electric power device when attached to the electric power device, the power storage control unit includes an upper limit power acquisition unit that acquires upper limit power that is an upper limit of power output from or input to the power storage unit based on a state of the power storage unit; The power storage device further includes an upper limit notification unit that transmits the upper limit power acquired by the upper limit power acquisition unit to the power equipment, or an upper limit power storage unit that stores the upper limit power so that it can be read by the power equipment.

2. a power storage unit having a plurality of cells; a power storage control unit that controls the power storage unit, The power supply is detachably attached to the electric power device and is electrically connectable to the electric power device when attached to the electric power device, The power storage control unit an upper limit power acquisition unit that acquires upper limit power, which is an upper limit of power output from or input to the power storage unit, based on a state of the power storage unit; a requested power acquisition unit that acquires requested power correlated with a request for power from the power equipment to the power storage device.

3. The power storage device according to claim 2, a power comparison unit that compares the requested power acquired by the requested power acquisition unit with the upper limit power acquired by the upper limit power acquisition unit; The power storage device further includes a power storage device protection unit that protects the power storage unit from outputting or inputting power exceeding the upper limit power when the required power exceeds the upper limit power or when it is predicted that the required power will exceed the upper limit power.

4. The power storage device according to claim 3, a switch disposed on a power transmission path between the power storage unit and the power device and configured to be able to interrupt and connect the power transmission path; The power storage device protection unit cuts off the power transmission path by the switch when the required power exceeds the upper limit power or when it is predicted that the required power will exceed the upper limit power.

5. The electricity storage device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, a power comparison unit that compares the requested power acquired by the requested power acquisition unit with the upper limit power acquired by the upper limit power acquisition unit; The power storage device further comprises: a response unit that responds to the power device to reduce the required power when the required power exceeds the upper limit power or when it is predicted that the required power will exceed the upper limit power.

6. The electricity storage device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, The power storage device, wherein the requested power acquisition unit acquires the requested power based on an input from a user of the power device.

7. The electricity storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The power storage device, wherein the upper limit power acquisition unit acquires the upper limit power based on a predetermined upper limit power map including a relationship between the state of the power storage unit and the upper limit power.

8. The power storage device according to claim 7, The state of the power storage unit includes a capacity state or a temperature state.

9. The electricity storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The power storage device includes a housing, The power storage device, wherein the power storage unit and the power storage control unit are housed in the housing.

10. A power storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a representative control unit that is the power storage control unit of a representative power storage device that is any one of the plurality of power storage devices, The power storage device includes a total upper limit power acquisition unit that acquires total upper limit power, which is an upper limit of power output from or input to all of the plurality of power storage devices.

11. The power storage device according to claim 10, The total upper limit power acquisition unit acquires the total upper limit power based on the smallest upper limit power among the respective upper limit powers of the plurality of power storage devices.

12. The power storage device according to claim 11, When the plurality of power storage devices are electrically connected in parallel with each other, The power storage device, wherein the total upper limit power acquisition unit acquires the total upper limit power further based on the largest of the output currents or input currents of the plurality of power storage devices.

13. The electricity storage device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, the plurality of power storage devices are provided so as to be electrically connectable to power equipment; the representative power storage device further includes a requested power acquisition unit that acquires requested power correlated with power requests from the power devices to the plurality of power storage devices; The required power acquired by the required power acquisition unit is When the total upper limit power acquired by the total upper limit power acquisition unit is exceeded or when it is predicted that the total upper limit power will be exceeded, The power storage device further includes an instruction unit that instructs protection of non-representative power storage devices, which are power storage devices other than the representative power storage device, among the plurality of power storage devices.

14. The electricity storage device according to any one of claims 10 to 13, the representative control unit further includes an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality in a non-representative power storage device that is a power storage device other than the representative power storage device among the plurality of power storage devices, When the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormality in the non-representative power storage device, The power storage device acquires the total upper limit power while excluding the non-representative power storage device in which the abnormality has been detected.

15. The electricity storage device according to any one of claims 10 to 14, the representative power storage device further includes a self-abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality in the representative power storage device; When the self abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality in the representative power storage device, When it is determined that the control of the representative control unit can be continued, the power storage device continues to acquire the upper limit power by the entire upper limit power acquisition unit.

16. The electricity storage device according to any one of claims 10 to 15, A non-representative power storage device, which is a power storage device other than the representative power storage device among the plurality of power storage devices, further includes a monitoring unit that monitors the state of the representative power storage device or receives notification that the representative power storage device is abnormal.

17. The power storage device according to claim 16, When the monitoring unit detects that the representative power storage device is abnormal or the total upper limit power acquisition unit cannot acquire the total upper limit power, the non-representative power storage device The power storage device includes an alternative total upper limit power acquisition unit that acquires the total upper limit power.

18. The electricity storage device according to any one of claims 10 to 17, the plurality of power storage devices are provided so as to be electrically connectable to power equipment; The plurality of power storage devices further includes a receiving unit that receives superiority / inferiority information that is transmitted by the power equipment and that is capable of identifying an order of priority of the plurality of power storage devices.

19. The power storage device according to claim 18, The power storage device further includes a recognition unit that recognizes that the power storage device is the representative power storage device based on the superiority / inferiority information received by the receiving unit.

20. The electricity storage device according to any one of claims 10 to 19, The plurality of power storage devices further include wireless communication units capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from each other wirelessly.

21. a mounting portion for mounting the power storage device according to claim 1 or any one of claims 7 to 20 that cite claim 1; an electric power device electrically connected to the power storage device; A vehicle comprising: a wheel; the electric power equipment is an electric motor mechanically connected to the wheel; The vehicle further includes a control unit that acquires the upper limit power from the upper limit power acquisition unit of the power storage device.

22. a computer of a power storage device including a power storage unit, the computer being detachable from an electric power device and electrically connectable to the electric power device when attached to the electric power device; acquiring an upper limit power that is an upper limit of power that can be output from or input to the power storage unit based on a state of the power storage unit; a step of transmitting the acquired upper limit power to the power device, or a step of storing the upper limit power so as to be readable by the power device.

23. a computer of a power storage device including a power storage unit, the computer being detachably attached to an electric power device and electrically connectable to the electric power device when attached to the electric power device; acquiring an upper limit power that is an upper limit of power that can be output from or input to the power storage unit based on a state of the power storage unit; a step of transmitting the acquired upper limit power to the power device, or a step of storing the upper limit power so as to be readable by the power device.

24. a computer of a power storage device including a power storage unit, the computer being detachable from an electric power device and electrically connectable to the electric power device when attached to the electric power device; acquiring an upper limit power that is an upper limit of power that can be output from or input to the power storage unit based on a state of the power storage unit; and acquiring requested power correlated with a request for power from the power equipment to the power storage device.

25. a computer of a power storage device including a power storage unit, the computer being detachably attached to an electric power device and electrically connectable to the electric power device when attached to the electric power device; acquiring an upper limit power that is an upper limit of power that can be output from or input to the power storage unit based on a state of the power storage unit; and acquiring requested power correlated with the power request of the power device to the power storage device.

Images