Power system, power system control method, program, storage medium, power storage device, and power device

Abstract

In an electric power system (10) and a method for controlling the same, a first electricity storage device (12) switches from an inactive state to an active state on the basis of an activation signal supplied from an activation command unit (62). The first electricity storage device (12) in the active state transmits transmission information to the outside. A receiving unit (64) receives the transmission information.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] International Publication No. 2018 / 147046 (hereinafter referred to as the prior art) discloses a battery management system including two power storage devices (storage batteries) and a power device to which the two power storage devices are detachably mounted. Each of the two power storage devices has a power storage unit.

[0003] When starting up the two power storage devices, the power device generates a start-up signal (activation signal) based on the power supplied from the sub-battery. The power device starts outputting the start-up signal generated based on the power supplied from the sub-battery to the two power storage devices as a start-up command for starting up the two power storage devices (see SA11 in Figure 4 of the prior art document). As a result, the two power storage devices switch from an inactive state to an active state based on the start-up signal from the power device, and each performs an initialization process (see SB11, SB12, SC11, and SC12 in Figure 4 of the prior art document). Note that the inactive state is a state in which the power storage unit inside the power storage device cannot be electrically connected to the outside of the power storage device. The active state is a state in which the power storage unit inside the power storage device can be electrically connected to the outside of the power storage device.

[0004] After the initialization process is completed, the power device stops supplying the activation signal to the two power storage devices (see SA13 in FIG. 4 of the prior art), which causes the two power storage devices to switch from an active state to an inactive state (see SB13 and SC13 in FIG. 4 of the prior art).

[0005] Next, the power device resumes supplying an activation signal to one of the power storage devices (see SA21 in FIG. 4 of the prior art). This causes one of the power storage devices to switch from an inactive state to an active state (see SB21 in FIG. 4 of the prior art). Meanwhile, the other power storage device maintains the inactive state.

[0006] Next, the power device assigns identification information, for example, an identification number, to one of the power storage devices in the active state to identify the power storage device (see SA22 and SB22 in FIG. 4 of the prior art). After assigning the identification number, the power device stops supplying a start-up signal to the one of the power storage devices (see SA23 in FIG. 4 of the prior art). This switches the one of the power storage devices from an active state to an inactive state (see SB23 in FIG. 4 of the prior art).

[0007] Next, the power device resumes supplying an activation signal to the other power storage device (see SA31 in FIG. 4 of the prior art). This causes the other power storage device to switch from an inactive state to an active state (see SC31 in FIG. 4 of the prior art). Note that the one power storage device remains in the inactive state.

[0008] Next, the power device assigns an identification number to the other power storage device in the active state (see SA32 and SC32 in FIG. 4 of the prior art). After assigning the identification number, the power device stops supplying an activation signal to the other power storage device (see SA33 in FIG. 4 of the prior art). This causes the other power storage device to switch from an active state to an inactive state (see SC33 in FIG. 4 of the prior art).

[0009] Next, the power device resumes supplying the startup signals to the two power storage devices (see SA41 in FIG. 4 of the prior art document). This causes the two power storage devices to switch from an inactive state to an active state (see SB41 and SC41 in FIG. 4 of the prior art document). This completes the startup process for the two power storage devices. Summary of the Invention

[0010] In the technique of the prior art, in order to avoid erroneous assignment of identification numbers, the start-up process is performed while alternately switching the two power storage devices between an active state and an inactive state.

[0011] Furthermore, in the technology of the prior document, after the assignment of the identification number is completed, the power storage device does not notify the power device that the assignment of the identification number is completed. Therefore, in the prior document, a sufficiently long period is ensured for the period in which only one power storage device is in an active state (the period from SB21 to SB23 in FIG. 4 of the prior document) and the period in which only the other power storage device is in an active state (the period from SC31 to SC33 in FIG. 4 of the prior document). In the prior document, by ensuring that each of the above periods (fixed times) is long, the assignment of the identification number is reliably completed.

[0012] As described above, the prior art technology requires a long time for the startup process of the power storage device, and therefore there is room for improvement in order to complete the startup process of the power storage device efficiently and in a short time.

[0013] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0014] A first aspect of the present invention is a power system comprising a power storage device having a power storage unit, and a power device to which the power storage device is detachable, wherein the power storage device has an activation processing unit that switches the state of the power storage device to an active state in which the power storage unit can be electrically connected to the outside of the power storage device, or an inactive state in which the power storage unit cannot be electrically connected to the outside of the power storage device, and a transmitting unit that transmits transmission information to the outside of the power storage device, and the power device or a mounting device mounted to the power device has an activation command unit that outputs a command to the activation processing unit and a receiving unit that receives the transmission information from the outside of the power device or the outside of the mounting device, and the activation processing unit is configured to switch to the active state or the inactive state in response to the command output from the activation command unit, and the transmission information includes at least one of information indicating that the power storage device has switched from the inactive state to the active state, or information that is transmitted to the outside of the power storage device when the power storage device is in the active state.

[0015] A second aspect of the present invention is a control method for a power system including a power storage device having a power storage unit, and a power device to which the power storage device is detachable, wherein the power storage device has an activation processing unit that switches a state of the power storage device to an active state in which the power storage unit is electrically connectable to an external device of the power storage device, or an inactive state in which the power storage unit is not electrically connectable to an external device of the power storage device, and a transmission unit that transmits transmission information to an external device of the power storage device, the transmission information including at least one of information indicating that the power storage device has switched from the inactive state to the active state, or information to be transmitted to an external device of the power storage device when the power storage device is in the active state, and the power storage device includes at least a first power storage device and a second power storage device each having the power storage unit, and the control method includes: a second step in which the first activation processing unit receives a first command, which is the command to switch the first storage device to the active state, and switches the first storage device to the active state; a third step in which a first transmission unit, which is the transmission unit possessed by the first storage device, transmits the transmission information; a fourth step in which the transmission information transmitted by the first transmission unit is received as first transmission information; a fifth step in which, based on the first transmission information, the first storage device has been switched to the active state; and a sixth step in which, after determining that the first storage device has been switched to the active state, the second command, which is a command to switch the second storage device to the active state, is transmitted to a second activation processing unit, which is the activation processing unit possessed by the second storage device.

[0016] A third aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the power system control method of the second aspect.

[0017] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a storage medium that stores the program of the third aspect.

[0018] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a power storage device having a power storage unit, the power storage device having an activation processing unit that switches the state of the power storage device to an active state in which the power storage unit can be electrically connected to the outside of the power storage device, or an inactive state in which the power storage unit cannot be electrically connected to the outside of the power storage device, and a transmission unit that transmits transmission information to the outside of the power storage device, wherein the activation processing unit is configured to switch to the active state or the inactive state in response to a command from an activation command unit outside the power storage device, and the transmission information includes at least one of information indicating that the power storage device has switched from the inactive state to the active state, or information that is transmitted to the outside of the power storage device when the power storage device is in the active state.

[0019] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a power device to which a storage device having a power storage unit can be attached / detached, wherein the power device or an attachment device attached to the power device has an activation command unit that outputs commands to the storage device and a receiving unit that receives transmitted information from outside the power device or outside the attachment device, and the storage device is configured to be switchable between an active state in which the storage unit can be electrically connected to the outside of the storage device, and an inactive state in which the storage unit cannot be electrically connected to the outside of the storage device, and the transmitted information is transmitted from the storage device and includes at least one of information indicating that the storage device has switched from the inactive state to the active state, or information transmitted to the outside of the storage device when the storage device is in the active state.

[0020] According to the present invention, after the power storage device switches from an inactive state to an active state, transmission information is transmitted to an external device of the power storage device. By receiving the transmission information, the power device or the attachment device can recognize that the startup process of the power storage device has been completed. Therefore, with the present invention, the power storage device can be started up efficiently and in a short time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a power system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the ECU. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of the power system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is another circuit configuration diagram of the power system. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the power system. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the operation of this embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the first comparative example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the operation of the second comparative example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a modified example of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a power system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0023] The power system 10 includes a first power storage device 12, a second power storage device 14, and a power device 16. Each of the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 is detachable from the power device 16. That is, each of the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 is a mobile battery detachable from the power device 16. Furthermore, each of the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 is a mobile battery that can be charged and discharged. The first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 are preferably, for example, battery packs of detachable lithium-ion batteries.

[0024] It is sufficient that the power system 10 includes at least one power storage device. When the power system 10 includes a plurality of power storage devices, it is sufficient that at least one of the plurality of power storage devices is detachable from the power device 16. In the following explanation, a case where the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 are detachable from the power device 16 will be described.

[0025] The power device 16 includes a first switching unit 18, a second switching unit 20, a power conversion unit 22, a motor 24, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 26, and a notification unit .

[0026] The positive electrode of the first power storage device 12 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the input side (primary side) of the power conversion unit 22 via a power line 30. The negative electrode of the first power storage device 12 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the second power storage device 14 via a power line 32. A first switching unit 18 is arranged on the power line 32. The negative electrode of the first power storage device 12 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the second power storage device 14 via another power line 34. A second switching unit 20 is arranged on the other power line 34. The negative electrode of the second power storage device 14 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the primary side of the power conversion unit 22 via a power line 36. A motor 24 is electrically connected to the output side (secondary side) of the power conversion unit 22.

[0027] The first switching unit 18 and the second switching unit 20 are switching elements such as contactors and semiconductor switches. The first switching unit 18 is switched between an ON state and an OFF state by a control signal transmitted from the ECU 26 via a signal line 35. The second switching unit 20 is switched between an ON state and an OFF state by a control signal transmitted from the ECU 26 via a signal line 37.

[0028] Specifically, when the first switching unit 18 is in an ON state and the second switching unit 20 is in an OFF state, the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 are electrically connected in series to the power conversion unit 22. As a result, DC power is supplied from the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 to the power conversion unit 22.

[0029] When the first switching unit 18 is in the OFF state and the second switching unit 20 is in the ON state, the second power storage device 14 is short-circuited. Even in this case, DC power is supplied from the first power storage device 12 to the power conversion unit 22.

[0030] When both the first switching unit 18 and the second switching unit 20 are in the OFF state, the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 are electrically disconnected from the power conversion unit 22 .

[0031] The power conversion unit 22 is a motor controller including an inverter. The power conversion unit 22 converts DC power supplied from the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 into AC power. As a result, the motor 24, which is a load, operates by being supplied with the converted AC power. Alternatively, when the motor 24 functions as a generator, the power conversion unit 22 converts AC power generated by the motor 24 into DC power. As a result, the converted DC power is supplied to the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14. Note that in FIG. 1 , wiring through which power is transmitted between the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 and the motor 24 is shown by thick lines.

[0032] The ECU 26 generates an activation signal (command, first command, second command, start command) that is a start-up signal based on the power supplied from the sub-battery 38. The ECU 26 supplies (outputs) the activation signal to the first power storage device 12 via a signal line 40. The ECU 26 also supplies (outputs) the activation signal to the second power storage device 14 via a signal line 42. As a result, the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 each receive the activation signal and switch from an inactive state to an active state. When the supply of the activation signal from the ECU 26 to the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 is stopped, the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 each switch from an active state to an inactive state.

[0033] The inactive state is a state in which the power storage units 44, 46 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) inside the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 cannot be electrically connected to the outside of the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14. Therefore, in the inactive state, it is not possible to output power from the power storage units 44, 46 inside the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 to the outside. The active state is a state in which the power storage units 44, 46 can be electrically connected to the outside. Therefore, in the active state, it is possible to output power from the power storage units 44, 46 inside the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 to the outside.

[0034] The ECU 26 is capable of transmitting and receiving digital signals to and from the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 in an active state via a communication line 48 (communication network) such as a CAN (Controller Area Network). When the ECU 26 and the power storage devices in an active state perform CAN communication, the ECU 26 and the power storage devices in an active state transmit and receive digital signals in accordance with a predetermined data frame format. Note that CAN communication is well known, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0035] When at least one of the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 is in an active state, the ECU 26 can transmit, via the communication line 48, identification information for identifying the power storage device, for example, identification number assignment information (identification assignment information) for assigning an identification number. The identification information may be any information that can identify each power storage device (the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14). Therefore, the identification information is not limited to an identification number, and may be an identification symbol such as a letter. Furthermore, when an identification number is not assigned to a power storage device, the ECU 26 cannot send information by specifying the power storage device via the communication line 48. As will be described later, after an identification number is assigned to the power storage device, the ECU 26 can send information by specifying the power storage device via the communication line 48.

[0036] When an active power storage device receives the identification number assignment information via communication line 48, it executes an assignment process for assigning an identification number to its own power storage device. After completing the identification number assignment process, the active power storage device can transmit transmission information including, for example, information on the state of the power storage device to ECU 26 via communication line 48.

[0037] In this embodiment, as will be described later, one of the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 is switched to an active state, and then an identification number assignment process is executed for that one power storage device. After the identification number assignment process for one power storage device is completed, the other power storage device is switched to an active state while maintaining that one power storage device in the active state, and an identification number assignment process is executed for the other power storage device.

[0038] In the case of CAN communication, the ECU 26 stores the identification number assignment information in the data field of the data frame and transmits it to the communication line 48. When an active power storage device receives the identification number assignment information stored in the data field of the data frame via the communication line 48, it executes an assignment process to assign to its own power storage device an identification number (e.g., "1" (number 1)) corresponding to the number (e.g., "1" (number 1)) included in the identification number assignment information. Therefore, the identification number assignment information is different from the identification numbers assigned to each of the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14, and is information for assigning an identification number. The identification number is assigned to each of the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14. The identification number is a unique number that is different for each power storage device.

[0039] The transmission information includes information indicating that the power storage device has switched from an inactive state to an active state, or information transmitted to the outside of the power storage device when the power storage device is in the active state. As described above, since the identification number assignment process is performed in the power storage device that has switched to the active state, the identification number assigned to the power storage device in response to the identification number assignment information may be included in the transmission information. In the case of CAN communication, the power storage device in the active state stores the transmission information in the data field of the data frame and transmits it to ECU 26 via communication line 48.

[0040] The start-up process of the power storage device includes an operation of switching from a deactivated state to an activated state, an initialization process, and a process of assigning an identification number. The transmission information is transmitted to the ECU 26 after the start-up process is completed.

[0041] In the following description, the transmission information transmitted by the first power storage device 12 may be referred to as first transmission information, and the transmission information transmitted by the second power storage device 14 may be referred to as second transmission information.

[0042] The initialization process is a process for initializing the memory units 50, 52 (storage media) (see FIGS. 3 and 4) in the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 upon receiving an activation signal. The initialization process also includes various diagnostic processes in the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14. The identification number assignment process is a process for storing the identification number in the memory units 50, 52.

[0043] The transmission information may include predetermined information that is transmitted to the outside when the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 are in an active state. In this case, the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 may transmit, as the transmission information, to the ECU 26, identification completion information indicating that an identification number has been assigned, or the assigned identification number itself.

[0044] The ECU 26 switches the first switching unit 18 and the second switching unit 20 between an ON state and an OFF state based on a digital signal received via the communication line 48. The ECU 26 also controls the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 via the communication line 48. The ECU 26 is further connected to the power conversion unit 22 via a communication line 53 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The ECU 26 controls the power conversion unit 22 via the communication line 53, thereby controlling the exchange of power between the first power storage device 12, the second power storage device 14 and the motor 24.

[0045] 1 may be configured as a mounting device 57 that is detachable from the electric power device 16. That is, only the portion of the electric power device 16 that is involved in starting the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 may be configured as a mounting device 57 that is detachable from the electric power device 16. In this case, it is more preferable that the mounting device 57 be detachable from the electric power device 16 without using a separate work tool or the like.

[0046] The notification unit 28 notifies various types of information to the outside based on instructions from the ECU 26.

[0047] 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the ECU 26. The ECU 26 is a computer such as a processor. The ECU 26 reads and executes programs stored in a storage unit 58 (storage medium) to realize the functions of a management unit 60 (determination unit), an activation command unit 62, a receiving unit 64, a transmitting unit 66 (another transmitting unit), a drive circuit power supply 68, and a switching unit drive circuit 70.

[0048] The activation command unit 62 generates activation signals (command, first command, second command) for bringing the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 (see FIG. 1) into a usable state. Specifically, the activation command unit 62 generates an activation signal that is equivalent to a voltage supplied from the sub-battery 38 to the ECU 26. In this case, the activation command unit 62 generates an activation signal for each of the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14. The activation command unit 62 supplies the generated activation signals to the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 via signal lines 40, 42. The two signal lines 40, 42 are different wirings for the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14. Therefore, the activation command unit 62 can activate (start up) the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 individually.

[0049] The activation signal, which is a start-up command, is low-voltage power (low voltage) for operating an activation control section 112 (see FIG. 3) inside the first power storage device 12 and an activation control section 114 inside the second power storage device 14. The signal line 40 is a power line for supplying the low-voltage power to the activation control section 112. The signal line 42 is a power line for supplying the low-voltage power to the activation control section 114.

[0050] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the activation command unit 62 includes an activation signal generation unit 63, a first switch 65, and a second switch 67.

[0051] Based on an instruction from the management unit 60, the activation signal generation unit 63 generates a voltage equivalent to the voltage supplied from the sub-battery 38 as an activation signal that is a command to switch the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 to an active state. Note that the activation signal is not limited to a voltage signal (power signal) based on the voltage of the sub-battery 38. The activation signal may be any command signal to switch the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 to an active state.

[0052] The first switch 65 is an on / off switch connected to the signal line 40. When the first switch 65 is turned on, an activation signal is supplied from the activation signal generation unit 63 to the first power storage device 12 via the signal line 40. When the first switch 65 is turned off, the supply of the activation signal from the activation signal generation unit 63 to the first power storage device 12 is stopped.

[0053] The second switch 67 is an on / off switch connected to the signal line 42. When the second switch 67 is turned on, an activation signal is supplied from the activation signal generation unit 63 to the second power storage device 14 via the signal line 42. When the second switch 67 is turned off, the supply of the activation signal from the activation signal generation unit 63 to the second power storage device 14 is stopped.

[0054] Therefore, signal line 40 is a dedicated signal line for supplying an activation signal only to first power storage device 12. Signal line 42 is a dedicated signal line for supplying an activation signal only to second power storage device 14.

[0055] The receiving unit 64 receives digital signals transmitted from the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 via the communication line 48. The management unit 60 determines whether the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 are in an active state based on the transmitted information, which is a digital signal. The management unit 60 also determines whether the first switching unit 18 and the second switching unit 20 should be in an on state or an off state based on the digital signal.

[0056] The transmitting unit 66 transmits various information to the first power storage device 12, the second power storage device 14, the power conversion unit 22, and the notification unit 28 based on instructions from the management unit 60. The transmitting unit 66 is also capable of transmitting identification number assignment information to the communication line 48.

[0057] The drive circuit power supply 68 is a power supply for driving the switching unit drive circuit 70. The drive circuit power supply 68 supplies power to the switching unit drive circuit 70 based on instructions from the management unit 60. The switching unit drive circuit 70 switches the first switching unit 18 and the second switching unit 20 between an ON state and an OFF state based on instructions from the management unit 60 and power supply from the drive circuit power supply 68. Specifically, the switching unit drive circuit 70 switches the first switching unit 18 between an ON state and an OFF state via a signal line 35 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). In addition, the switching unit drive circuit 70 switches the second switching unit 20 between an ON state and an OFF state via a signal line 37.

[0058] Fig. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of the power system 10. Fig. 3 illustrates a case where the power system 10 is applied to a power supply device of a vehicle (not shown). In this case, a power device 16 including a first switching unit 18, a second switching unit 20, an ECU 26, etc. is mounted on the vehicle. Each of the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 is detachable from the vehicle. In Fig. 3, the description of components that are also shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is simplified or omitted.

[0059] The first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 have the same configuration. That is, the first power storage device 12 has a power storage unit 44, a BMU 54, a switch 72, an insulator 74, a transceiver 76, a power supply unit 78, and a connector 80. The second power storage device 14 has a power storage unit 46, a BMU 56, a switch 82, an insulator 84, a transceiver 86, a power supply unit 88, and a connector 90.

[0060] In each of the first and second power storage devices 12 and 14, the power storage units 44 and 46 are composed of a plurality of cells connected in series. The power storage units 44 and 46 are secondary batteries. The switches 72 and 82 are switching elements such as contactors and semiconductor switches. The switches 72 and 82 are provided in series with the power storage units 44 and 46. The conduction states of the switches 72 and 82 are determined by control from the BMUs 54 and 56. The BMUs 54 and 56 detect the states of the power storage units 44 and 46 and notify the ECU 26 and the like of the detected states. In this case, the operating states of the BMUs 54 and 56 are determined by control from the ECU 26 and the like. The BMUs 54 and 56 control the conduction states of the switches 72 and 82 in accordance with the determined operating states.

[0061] The isolators 74, 84 are optical couplers or the like provided between the BMUs 54, 56 and the transceivers 76, 86. The isolators 74, 84 electrically insulate the BMUs 54, 56 from the connectors 80, 90. Specifically, the isolators 74, 84 electrically insulate and convert activation signals supplied from the A terminals 92, 94 of the connectors 80, 90 to the BMUs 54, 56. The isolators 74, 84 supply the converted activation signals to the BMUs 54, 56. The A terminals 92, 94 are connected to the ECU 26 via signal lines 40, 42.

[0062] The transceivers 76, 86 are provided between the connectors 80, 90 and the insulators 74, 84. The transceivers 76, 86 convert signals used for communication between the BMUs 54, 56 and the ECU 26 and relay them in both directions. In this case, the B terminals 96, 98 and C terminals 100, 102 of the connectors 80, 90 connected to the transceivers 76, 86 are connected to the communication line 48. The power supply units 78, 88 receive power from the power storage units 44, 46 and supply a portion of the power to the BMUs 54, 56, the insulators 74, 84, etc. The power supply units 78, 88 are electrically insulated from the connectors 80, 90 by the insulators 74, 84, like the BMUs 54, 56.

[0063] As described above, the connectors 80, 90 have a plurality of signal terminals. These signal terminals exchange signals for controlling the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14, respectively. Specifically, the signals exchanged via the connectors 80, 90 include activation signals and signals for the BMUs 54, 56 to communicate with the ECU 26. In addition to these signal terminals, the connectors 80, 90 also have ground terminals 104, 106, etc. Note that the connectors 80, 90 may exchange signals optically.

[0064] The BMUs 54, 56 monitor the charging / discharging status of the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14, the amount of stored power in the power storage units 44, 46, the temperature, etc. The BMUs 54, 56 share the monitoring results with the ECU 26. Furthermore, the BMUs 54, 56 control the charging / discharging between the power storage units 44, 46 and the outside by controlling the switches 72, 82, etc. based on a control command from the ECU 26 or the monitoring results.

[0065] As described above, the transceivers 76, 86 relay signals bidirectionally between the BMUs 54, 56 and the ECU 26. Specifically, the transceivers 76, 86 operate as follows.

[0066] The transceiver 76 of the first power storage device 12 operates when an activation signal is supplied to the first power storage device 12 from the activation signal generation unit 63 via the first switch 65. When the first power storage device 12 is in an active state, the transceiver 76 receives the identification number assignment information and transmits it to the BMU 54 when the management unit 60 (see FIG. 2 ) transmits the identification number assignment information from the transmitter 66 via the communication line 48. Note that before an identification number is assigned to the power storage device, the ECU 26 cannot specify a destination and transmit information such as the identification number assignment information via the communication line 48. The BMU 54 executes an assignment process of an identification number for the first power storage device 12 based on the transmitted identification number assignment information. After the assignment process of the identification number for the first power storage device 12 is completed, the BMU 54 transmits transmission information including the assigned identification number to the ECU 26 via the transceiver 76 and the communication line 48. The management unit 60 stores in the storage unit 58 the identification number of the first power storage device 12 included in the transmission information received by the reception unit 64 .

[0067] The transceiver 86 of the second power storage device 14 operates in a state in which an activation signal is supplied to the second power storage device 14 from the activation signal generation unit 63 via the second switch 67. When the second power storage device 14 is in an active state, the transceiver 86 receives the identification number assignment information and transmits it to the BMU 56 when the identification number assignment information is transmitted from the transmitter 66 via the communication line 48 by the management unit 60. The BMU 56 executes an assignment process of an identification number for the second power storage device 14 based on the transmitted identification number assignment information. After the assignment process of the identification number for the second power storage device 14 is completed, the BMU 56 transmits transmission information including the assigned identification number to the ECU 26 via the transceiver 86 and the communication line 48. The management unit 60 stores the identification number of the second power storage device 14, which is included in the transmission information received by the receiver 64, in the memory unit 58.

[0068] Furthermore, output request information is input to ECU 26 from a throttle sensor 108 or an accelerator pedal sensor 110 provided in the vehicle. After first power storage device 12 and second power storage device 14 have completed their startup processes, management unit 60 controls first power storage device 12, second power storage device 14, power conversion unit 22, etc. based on the output request information input to ECU 26. ECU 26 controls first power storage device 12 and second power storage device 14, thereby controlling charging and discharging of first power storage device 12 and second power storage device 14.

[0069] The BMUs 54, 56 are computers such as processors. The BMUs 54, 56 read and execute programs stored in the storage units 50, 52 to realize the functions of the activation control units 112, 114, the battery control units 116, 118, and the communication processing units 120, 122 (transmitting unit, first transmitting unit, second transmitting unit, other receiving unit).

[0070] Based on an activation signal supplied from ECU 26, activation control units 112, 114 perform control to switch the state of first power storage device 12 and second power storage device 14 from an inactive state in which power storage units 44, 46 cannot be electrically connected to the outside to an active state in which power storage units 44, 46 can be electrically connected to the outside. Specifically, activation control units 112, 114 turn on switches 72, 82 in response to the supply of the activation signal. Furthermore, activation control units 112, 114 turn off switches 72, 82 when the supply of the activation signal is stopped. Therefore, in the inactive state, power cannot be output from power storage units 44, 46 to the outside. Furthermore, in the active state, power can be output from power storage units 44, 46 to the outside.

[0071] Specifically, when the activation control units 112, 114 detect that the activation signal is in a significant state, they turn on the switches 72, 82, thereby switching the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 to an active state. For example, when the signal level of the activation signal is equivalent to the signal level of the voltage output from the sub-battery 38, the activation control units 112, 114 determine that the activation signal is in a significant state (a state in which the activation signal is being supplied), and turn on the switches 72, 82.

[0072] Furthermore, the activation control units 112, 114 detect that the activation signal has become inactive, and thereby switch the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 to an inactive state. For example, when the signal level of the activation signal becomes a level below the threshold (approximately 0 level), the activation control units 112, 114 determine that the activation signal is inactive (a state in which the activation signal is not being supplied), and turn off the switches 72, 82.

[0073] In this way, activation control sections 112, 114 and switches 72, 82 function as activation processing sections 121, 123 that switch first power storage device 12 and second power storage device 14 between an activated state and an inactivated state.

[0074] Battery control units 116, 118 detect, for example, changes in the state (voltage, SOC, etc.) of each cell of power storage units 44, 46 and adjust the charge states of each cell to be uniform. Furthermore, battery control units 116, 118 control switches 72, 82 under control from ECU 26 or the like to bring first power storage device 12 and second power storage device 14 into an active state where they can be used.

[0075] The communication processing units 120, 122 communicate with the ECU 26 in accordance with a predetermined protocol. For example, the communication processing units 120, 122 communicate information for controlling the charging and discharging of the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 with the ECU 26. In this case, the communication processing units 120, 122 communicate the information by including the identification numbers stored in the memories 50, 52 in the information.

[0076] Furthermore, when the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 are switched from the inactive state to the active state and the startup process is completed, the communication processing units 120 and 122 transmit transmission information to the ECU 26 via the communication line 48. In this case, the communication processing units 120 and 122 may transmit the transmission information to the outside via the communication line 48 at predetermined time intervals. Alternatively, the communication processing units 120 and 122 may transmit the transmission information to the ECU 26. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4 , the communication processing units 120 and 122 may transmit the transmission information to the ECU 26 from D terminals 124 and 126 provided on the connectors 80 and 90 via dedicated communication lines 128 and 130. In either case, the receiving unit 64 is able to receive the transmission information via the communication lines 48, 128, and 130.

[0077] The power system 10 according to this embodiment is configured as described above. Next, the operation of the power system 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 9. Here, the description will also refer to Figs. 1 to 4 as necessary. This operation is related to the start-up of the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14.

[0078] First, in step S1 of FIG. 5, in response to operation of a start switch (not shown) provided on the power device 16, the ECU 26 (see FIG. 1) is started up by power supply from the sub-battery 38.

[0079] In step S2, the management unit 60 (see FIG. 2) of the ECU 26 starts transmitting a control status, which is information indicating that the ECU 26 has started up, from the transmitter 66 via the communication line 48 at time t0 (see FIG. 6). The control status is also transmitted to the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 via the communication line 48. As a result, if the BMU 54 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of the first power storage device 12 and the BMU 56 of the second power storage device 14 start up while the control status is being transmitted, the BMUs 54, 56 can recognize that the ECU 26 has started up by receiving the control status. Furthermore, the BMUs 54, 56 can recognize that the ECU 26 will transmit some kind of command in the future by receiving the control status.

[0080] In the next step S3 (first step), the management unit 60 (see FIG. 2) of the ECU 26 instructs the activation command unit 62 to start supplying an activation signal (first command) to the first power storage device 12. The activation command unit 62 turns on the first switch 65 and instructs the activation signal generation unit 63 to generate an activation signal. The activation signal generation unit 63 generates an activation signal based on the voltage supplied from the sub-battery 38. The activation signal generation unit 63 supplies the generated activation signal to the activation control unit 112 of the first power storage device 12 via the signal line 40 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). As a result, the BMU 54 of the first power storage device 12 is activated by the supply of low-voltage power, which is the activation signal. Since the control status has already been transmitted as described above, the BMU 54 can recognize that the ECU 26 has been activated by receiving the control status.

[0081] In the next step S4 (second step), activation control section 112 of activation processing section 121 detects that the supplied activation signal is in a significant state at time point t1. As a result, activation control section 112 turns on switch 72 based on the supplied activation signal. As a result, first power storage device 12 switches from a deactivated state to an activated state.

[0082] In the next step S5, the BMU 54 executes initialization processing for the first power storage device 12. As a result, the storage unit 50 and the like are initialized, and various diagnostic processing within the first power storage device 12 is executed.

[0083] In the next step S6 (seventh step), the management unit 60 starts transmitting the first identification number assignment information (for example, "1" (number 1)) to the communication line 48 via the transmission unit 66 at time t2.

[0084] As described above, the first power storage device 12 has been switched to the active state, and the BMU 54 has already been activated. Therefore, in the next step S7, the communication processing unit 120 receives the first identification number assignment information transmitted over the communication line 48. Note that the second power storage device 14 is in the inactive state, and the BMU 56 has not yet been activated. Therefore, even if the first identification number assignment information has been transmitted over the communication line 48, the second power storage device 14 cannot receive the first identification number assignment information.

[0085] In the next step S8, the BMU 54 executes, based on the first identification number assignment information, an assignment process of a first identification number (first identification information) that is the identification number of the first power storage device 12. Specifically, upon receiving the first identification number assignment information, the BMU 54 stores the first identification number in the storage unit 50.

[0086] In the next step S9 (third step), the communication processing unit 120 transmits identification completion information indicating that the process of assigning the first identification number has been completed to the ECU 26 as first transmission information. In this case, the communication processing unit 120 may include the first identification number stored in the storage unit 50 in the first transmission information and transmit it to the ECU 26. Furthermore, when transmitting the first transmission information to the ECU 26, the communication processing unit 120 transmits the first transmission information to the outside via the communication line 48 at predetermined time intervals. Alternatively, the communication processing unit 120 transmits the first transmission information to the ECU 26 via the communication line 48 or a dedicated communication line 128 (see FIG. 4).

[0087] In the next step S10 (fourth step), the receiving unit 64 receives the first transmission information. The receiving unit 64 outputs the received first transmission information to the management unit 60.

[0088] In the next step S11 (fifth step), the management unit 60 determines whether the first power storage device 12 has switched to the active state based on the first transmission information received by the receiving unit 64. If the received transmission information is the first transmission information from the first power storage device 12, the management unit 60 determines that the first power storage device 12 has switched to the active state.

[0089] In the next step S12, the management unit 60 stops transmitting the first identification number assignment information at time t3 based on the determination result in step S11.

[0090] In the next step S13 (sixth step), the management unit 60 instructs the activation command unit 62 to start supplying an activation signal (second command) to the second power storage device 14. The activation command unit 62 turns on the second switch 67 in accordance with the command from the management unit 60. As a result, the activation signal generation unit 63 starts supplying the activation signal to the activation control unit 114 of the second power storage device 14 via the signal line 42. As a result, the BMU 56 of the second power storage device 14 is activated by the supply of low-voltage power, which is the activation signal. Since the control status has already been transmitted as described above, the BMU 56 can recognize that the ECU 26 has been activated by receiving the control status. The activation command unit 62 continues supplying the activation signal to the activation control unit 112 of the first power storage device 12.

[0091] In the next step S14, activation control unit 114 detects that the supplied activation signal is in a significant state at time t4. As a result, activation control unit 114 turns on switch 82 based on the supplied activation signal. As a result, second power storage device 14 switches from a deactivated state to an activated state.

[0092] In the next step S15, the BMU 56 executes initialization processing for the second power storage device 14. As a result, the storage unit 52 and the like are initialized, and various diagnostic processing within the second power storage device 14 is executed.

[0093] In the next step S16, the management unit 60 starts transmitting the second identification number assignment information (for example, "2" (number 2)) to the communication line 48 via the transmission unit 66 at time t5.

[0094] As described above, the second power storage device 14 has been switched to the active state, and the BMU 56 has already been started. Therefore, in the next step S17, the communication processing unit 122 receives the second identification number assignment information transmitted to the communication line 48.

[0095] Since the first power storage device 12 is in an active state and the BMU 54 is in a started state, the BMU 54 can receive the second identification number assignment information. However, since the first identification number has already been assigned to the first power storage device 12 in step S8, the BMU 54 ignores the second identification number assignment information even if it receives it. This makes it possible to prevent the first power storage device 12 from erroneously assigning identification information.

[0096] In the next step S18, the BMU 56 executes a process of assigning a second identification number (second identification information) that is the identification number of the second power storage device 14, based on the second identification number assignment information. As a result, the BMU 56 stores the second identification number in the storage unit 52.

[0097] In the next step S19, the communication processing unit 122 transmits the identification completion information to the ECU 26 as second transmission information. In this case, the communication processing unit 122 may also include the second identification number stored in the storage unit 52 in the second transmission information and transmit it to the ECU 26. When transmitting the second transmission information to the ECU 26, the communication processing unit 122 transmits the second transmission information via the communication line 48 at predetermined time intervals. Alternatively, the communication processing unit 122 transmits the second transmission information to the ECU 26 via the communication line 48 or a dedicated communication line 130 (see FIG. 4).

[0098] In the next step S20, the receiving unit 64 receives the second transmission information. The receiving unit 64 outputs the received second transmission information to the management unit 60.

[0099] In the next step S21, the management unit 60 determines whether the second power storage device 14 has switched to the active state based on the second transmission information received by the receiving unit 64. If the received transmission information is the second transmission information from the second power storage device 14, the management unit 60 determines that the second power storage device 14 has switched to the active state.

[0100] In the next step S22, the management unit 60 stops transmitting the second identification number assignment information at time t6 based on the determination result in step S21.

[0101] 5, a pre-charge process is performed in the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14. That is, if a capacitor or the like is present in the external loads such as the power conversion unit 22 and the motor 24, an inrush current, which is an overcurrent, may occur when the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 start to be charged or discharged. By performing the pre-charge process, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the overcurrent. Note that the pre-charge process is well known, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0102] After the precharge process, the ECU 26 controls the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 via the communication line 48 to charge and discharge the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14.

[0103] 5, the process of step S16 may be executed immediately after step S13 without waiting for steps S14 and S15. This allows the second power storage device 14 to execute the process of step S17 immediately after completing step S15. As a result, the BMU 56 of the second power storage device 14 can immediately receive the identification number assignment information, and can quickly execute the identification number assignment process. As a result, the time required for the startup process of the second power storage device 14 can be shortened.

[0104] 5, the process of step S6 for the first power storage device 12 may be executed immediately after step S3, without waiting for steps S4 and S5. This allows the first power storage device 12 to execute the process of step S7 immediately after completing step S5. As a result, the BMU 54 of the first power storage device 12 can immediately receive the identification number assignment information, and can quickly execute the identification number assignment process. Therefore, the time required for the startup process for the first power storage device 12 can also be shortened.

[0105] Furthermore, after processing step S1, ECU 26 may perform the processes of step S6 and step S3 in this order. This allows first power storage device 12 to quickly receive the identification number assignment information in step S7 after processing steps S4 and S5. As a result, first power storage device 12 can be started up in a shorter time.

[0106] Furthermore, the ECU 26 can also perform the process for the second power storage device 14 in the order of step S16 and step S13.

[0107] 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the first comparative example. The operation of the first comparative example is, for example, the operation of the power system of the prior art. In the explanation of FIG. 7, the same components as those in the power system 10 according to this embodiment (see FIG. 1) will be described using the same reference numerals.

[0108] In the first comparative example, at time t10, the supply of activation signals to the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 starts. As a result, the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 switch from an inactive state to an active state. An initialization process is performed on each of the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14.

[0109] After the initialization process is completed, at time t11, the supply of activation signals to the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 is stopped, whereby the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 are switched from an active state to an inactive state.

[0110] At time t12, the supply of the activation signal to the first power storage device 12 is resumed. This switches the first power storage device 12 from an inactive state to an active state. Thereafter, the first power storage device 12 executes a process of assigning a first identification number.

[0111] After the process of assigning the first identification number in the first power storage device 12 is completed, the supply of the activation signal to the first power storage device 12 is stopped at time t13. As a result, the first power storage device 12 is switched from the active state to the inactive state.

[0112] At time t14, the supply of the activation signal to the second power storage device 14 is resumed. This switches the second power storage device 14 from an inactive state to an active state. Thereafter, the second power storage device 14 executes a process of assigning a second identification number.

[0113] After the process of assigning the second identification number to the second power storage device 14 is completed, the supply of the activation signal to the second power storage device 14 is stopped at time t15. As a result, the second power storage device 14 is switched from the active state to the inactive state.

[0114] At time t16, the supply of activation signals to the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 is resumed, whereby the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 are switched from the inactive state to the active state.

[0115] In this way, in the first comparative example, in order to avoid assigning duplicate identification numbers to the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14, the startup process is performed by alternately switching between an inactive state and an active state.

[0116] Furthermore, in the first comparative example, after the assignment of the identification numbers is completed, the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 do not notify the ECU 26 that the assignment of the identification numbers is completed. Therefore, in the first comparative example, a period during which only the first power storage device 12 is in an active state (time t12 to time t13) and a period during which only the second power storage device 14 is in an active state (time t14 to time t15) are ensured to be sufficiently long. In the first comparative example, by ensuring that each of the above periods (fixed times) is long, the assignment of the identification numbers is reliably completed.

[0117] Therefore, in the first comparative example, the start-up process of the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 takes time.

[0118] In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 , the startup process for the second power storage device 14 is performed after the startup process for the first power storage device 12 (see FIG. 1 ). This allows the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 to be started up efficiently and in a short time. Furthermore, the first power storage device 12, which has been assigned a first identification number after receiving the first identification number assignment information, ignores the second identification number assignment information, preventing an erroneous assignment of an identification number. As a result, identification numbers can be accurately and reliably assigned to the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14. Furthermore, since the first identification number of the first power storage device 12 is determined before the startup of the second power storage device 14, the startup state of the first power storage device 12 can be maintained even during the startup process for the second power storage device 14. As a result, after the startup processes for the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 are completed, power can be quickly output from the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 to the outside. This also makes it possible to prevent the amount of stored electricity in the sub-battery 38 from decreasing and deteriorating.

[0119] 8 is a timing chart showing the operation of the second comparative example (NG operation). At time t20, activation signals are simultaneously supplied to the first power storage device 12 (see FIG. 1) and the second power storage device 14, and identification number assignment information is transmitted via communication line 48. As a result, the activation processes of the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 are simultaneously performed, and the same identification number is assigned to the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 in duplicate. As a result, the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 transmit transmission information including the duplicate identification number to ECU 26. ECU 26 is unable to subsequently control the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14.

[0120] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 are started up one by one. This makes it possible to prevent the same identification number from being assigned to multiple power storage devices in duplicate, as in the second comparative example.

[0121] Fig. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a modified example of the operation of Fig. 5. In this modified example, some operations of the ECU 26 (see Fig. 1) are changed.

[0122] Specifically, after step S6, in step S23, the management unit 60 (see Figure 2) determines whether the receiving unit 64 has received identification completion information (first transmission information) within a predetermined time after the activation command unit 62 starts supplying an activation signal to the first storage device 12 in step S3.

[0123] If the receiving unit 64 receives the first transmission information within the predetermined time (step S23: YES), the management unit 60 executes the process of step S11.

[0124] If the receiving unit 64 does not receive the first transmission information within the predetermined time (step S23: NO), then in the next step S24, the management unit 60 determines that the first power storage device 12 has not at least been switched to the active state.

[0125] In the next step S25, the management unit 60 determines whether to start up the second power storage device 14. If the management unit 60 determines to start up the second power storage device 14 (step S25: YES), the management unit 60 executes the process of step S12.

[0126] When it is determined that the second power storage device 14 should not be started (step S25: NO), the management unit 60 determines that it is not possible to start up both the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14. In the next step S26, the management unit 60 notifies an external user via the notification unit 28 that it is not possible to output power from the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14.

[0127] If the management unit 60 determines in step S25 to start up the second power storage device 14 (step S25: YES), the processing of step S26 may be executed, as indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 9. In this case, in step S26, the management unit 60 (see Fig. 2) notifies an external user via the notification unit 28 that the first power storage device 12 (see Fig. 1) cannot be started up, but the second power storage device 14 can be started up. Thereafter, the management unit 60 executes the processing of step S12.

[0128] In this embodiment, the power device 16 is not limited to a power supply device for a vehicle, but may be any of various power supply devices such as various chargers, power feeders, and exchangers.

[0129] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the power storage unit for supplying power for starting the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 is not limited to the sub-battery 38. A battery, a capacitor, or the like provided in the vehicle may be used as the power storage unit for supplying power to the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14. The power storage unit may also be separate from the vehicle. Furthermore, the power storage unit may be detachable from the vehicle.

[0130] Furthermore, in the above description, the power system 10 has been described as having a first power storage device 12 and a second power storage device 14. In the present embodiment, the power system 10 may have one power storage device. In this case, by applying the processes of FIGS. 5 and 9, it is possible to quickly determine whether startup of one power storage device has been completed. Furthermore, the power system 10 may have three or more power storage devices. In this case, the processes of FIGS. 5 and 9 can be easily applied to the startup process of the third and subsequent power storage devices.

[0131] Furthermore, in the above description, the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 are connected in series. In the present embodiment, when the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 are connected in parallel, or when three or more power storage devices are connected in series or in parallel, the processes in Fig. 5 and Fig. 9 can be easily applied. For example, when multiple power storage devices are connected in parallel, if there is an inactive power storage device, the remaining power storage devices can be used to output power to the outside.

[0132] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the ECU 26 is connected to the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 via dedicated signal lines 40, 42, thereby enabling the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14 to be started up one by one. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a communication line other than the communication line 48 may be used to transmit and receive information between the ECU 26 and the first power storage device 12 and the second power storage device 14. For example, the ECU 26 and the first power storage device 12 may be connected via a communication line, and the ECU 26 and the second power storage device 14 may be connected via another communication line.

[0133] The power system 10 can be applied to various power supply systems that supply power from a plurality of power storage devices to a load or the like, or that charge a plurality of power storage devices. The power system 10 can be installed in a home, an office, a public facility, or the like.

[0134] The power system 10 can also be applied to power supply systems for various types of mobile bodies. The various types of mobile bodies include mobile bodies that can accommodate people and mobile bodies that cannot accommodate people. Examples of such mobile bodies include vehicles, aircraft, flying objects, and ships. Examples of vehicle power supply systems include power supply systems for electrically powered vehicles such as electric automobiles, and power supply systems for vehicles equipped with a drive motor such as hybrid vehicles. In other words, the power system 10 can be applied to power supply systems for various types of vehicles such as unicycles, motorcycles, and four-wheeled vehicles. When the power system 10 is applied to a mobile body, the mounting device 57 may be configured to be detachable from the mobile body, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0135] The power system 10 can also be applied to power supply systems for various general-purpose devices. Specifically, the various general-purpose devices include (1) various chargers, (2) various dischargers, and (3) various types of work machines such as general-purpose implements, lawnmowers, tillers, and blowers. The various general-purpose devices also include (4) electric devices without motors, such as floodlights and lighting equipment, and (5) various types of equipment installed in homes and buildings. Even in this case, the mounting device 57 may be configured to be detachable from the general-purpose device, as shown in FIG. 1 .

[0136] (1) to (5) may be general-purpose equipment that does not require a human operator. (3) may be a work machine that does not require a human operator. Alternatively, (3) may be a work machine that requires a human operator. Furthermore, examples of (5) above include (A) equipment that operates on DC power, such as clocks and audio equipment such as radio cassette recorders, and (B) equipment that operates on AC power, such as fans, juicers, mixers, or incandescent lamps. Another example of (5) above includes (C) equipment that operates on DC power converted from AC power, such as televisions, radios, stereos, or personal computers. Another example of (5) above includes (D) inverter-type equipment, including washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners, microwave ovens, and fluorescent lamps. The above (D) equipment is equipment that operates on AC power that is first converted from AC power to DC power and then further converted from the DC power.

[0137] The invention that can be understood from the above-described embodiments will be described below.

[0138] A first aspect of the present invention is a power system (10) including a power storage device (12, 14) having a power storage unit (44, 46) and a power device (16) to which the power storage device is detachable, wherein the power storage device has an activation processing unit (121, 123) that switches a state of the power storage device between an activated state in which the power storage unit and the outside of the power storage device can be electrically connected and an inactivated state in which the power storage unit and the outside of the power storage device cannot be electrically connected, and a transmission unit (120, 122) that transmits transmission information to the outside of the power storage device, and The mounting device (57) has an activation command unit (62) that outputs a command to the activation processing unit, and a receiving unit (64) that receives the transmitted information from outside the power device or outside the mounting device, and the activation processing unit is configured to switch to the activated state or the inactivated state based on the command output from the activation command unit, and the transmitted information includes at least one of information indicating that the storage device has switched from the inactivated state to the activated state, or information transmitted to outside the storage device when the storage device is in the activated state.

[0139] According to this configuration, after the power storage device switches from the inactive state to the active state, transmission information is transmitted to an external device of the power storage device. By receiving the transmission information, the power device or the attachment device can recognize that the startup process of the power storage device has been completed. Therefore, the power storage device can be started up efficiently and in a short time.

[0140] In a first aspect of the present invention, the power device or the wearing device further includes a determination unit (60) that determines, based on the transmission information received by the receiving unit, that the power storage device has switched to the active state, and the power storage device includes at least a first power storage device (12) and a second power storage device (14), each having the power storage unit, and the first power storage device has a first activation processing unit (121) that is the activation processing unit and a first transmission unit (120) that is the transmission unit, and the second power storage device has a second activation processing unit (123) that is the activation processing unit and a second transmission unit (122) that is the transmission unit, and when the first power storage device and the second power storage device are both in the inactive state, the activation command unit may output a first command, which is the command to switch the first power storage device to the active state, only to the first activation processing unit; after the first activation processing unit receives the first command and switches the first power storage device to the active state, the first transmission unit transmits first transmission information, which is the transmission information; when the receiving unit receives the first transmission information, the determination unit determines that the first power storage device has switched to the active state based on the first transmission information; and after the determination unit determines that the first power storage device has switched to the active state, the activation command unit outputs a second command, which is the command to switch the second power storage device to the active state, to the second activation processing unit.

[0141] This configuration also allows the first and second power storage devices to be started up efficiently and in a short time. Furthermore, since the start-up process for the second power storage device is performed after the start-up process for the first power storage device, it is possible to reliably prevent the first and second power storage devices from being assigned the same identification information in duplicate.

[0142] In a first aspect of the present invention, the judgment unit may judge that the first storage device has not at least switched to the active state when the receiving unit does not receive the first transmission information within a predetermined time after the activation command unit outputs the first command, and the activation command unit may output the second command to the second activation processing unit after the judgment unit determines that the first storage device has not at least switched to the active state.

[0143] This makes it possible to output electric power using only the second power storage device.

[0144] In a first aspect of the present invention, the power system further includes an alarm unit (28), and the judgment unit determines that the first storage device has not at least switched to the active state when the receiving unit does not receive the first transmission information within a predetermined time after the activation command unit outputs the first command, and the alarm unit may notify an external device of the inability to output power from the first storage device after the judgment unit determines that the first storage device has not at least switched to the active state.

[0145] This allows an external user to easily understand the state of the first power storage device.

[0146] In the first aspect of the present invention, after the second activation processing unit receives the second command and the second power storage device switches to the activated state, the second transmission unit transmits second transmission information, which is the transmission information, and the determination unit may determine that the second power storage device has switched to the activated state based on the second transmission information when the receiving unit receives the second transmission information.

[0147] Thereby, the power device or the attachment device can easily recognize that the startup process of the second power storage device has been completed by receiving the second transmission information.

[0148] In a first aspect of the present invention, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be communicatively connected via a communication network (48), and the transmitting unit may transmit the transmission information via the communication network, and the receiving unit may receive the transmission information via the communication network.

[0149] This allows the receiving unit to receive the transmitted information reliably.

[0150] In a first aspect of the present invention, the power device or the attachment device may have another transmitting unit (66) that transmits, via the communication network, identification information used to assign identification information that identifies the first storage device and the second storage device, and the first storage device and the second storage device may each have another receiving unit (120, 122) that receives the identification information via the communication network.

[0151] This allows the other receiving units to reliably receive the identification information, and as a result, the first power storage device and the second power storage device can perform the process of assigning the identification information based on the received identification information.

[0152] In a first aspect of the present invention, the first transmission information may include first identification information, which is the identification information assigned to the first storage device when a first receiving unit, which is the other receiving unit possessed by the first storage device, receives the identification information.

[0153] As a result, the power device or the attachment device can recognize that the startup process of the first power storage device has been completed and that identification information has been assigned to the first power storage device by checking the first identification information contained in the received first transmission information.

[0154] In the first aspect of the present invention, the other transmission unit may transmit the identification information when a new power storage device is attached to the power device.

[0155] This makes it possible to assign identification information to the power storage device every time the power storage device is replaced.

[0156] A second aspect of the present invention is a control method for a power system including a power storage device having a power storage unit, and a power device to which the power storage device is detachable, wherein the power storage device has an activation processing unit that switches a state of the power storage device to an active state in which the power storage unit can be electrically connected to an outside of the power storage device, or an inactive state in which the power storage unit cannot be electrically connected to an outside of the power storage device, and a transmission unit that transmits transmission information to an outside of the power storage device, the transmission information including at least one of information indicating that the power storage device has switched from the inactive state to the active state, or information to be transmitted to an outside of the power storage device when the power storage device is in the active state, and the power system includes at least a first power storage device and a second power storage device each having the power storage unit, and the control method includes, when the first power storage device and the second power storage device are both in the inactive state, transmitting the first power storage device only to a first activation processing unit that is the activation processing unit of the first power storage device. The method includes a first step (step S3) of transmitting a command to switch to the active state, a second step (step S4) of the first activation processing unit receiving a first command, which is the command to switch the first power storage device to the active state, and switching the first power storage device to the active state, a third step (step S9) of a first transmission unit, which is the transmission unit possessed by the first power storage device, transmitting the transmission information, a fourth step (step S10) of receiving the transmission information transmitted by the first transmission unit as first transmission information, a fifth step (step S11) of determining that the first power storage device has switched to the active state based on the first transmission information, and a sixth step (step S13) of transmitting a second command, which is a command to switch the second power storage device to the active state, to a second activation processing unit, which is the activation processing unit possessed by the second power storage device, after determining that the first power storage device has switched to the active state.

[0157] In this method, after the first power storage device switches from an inactive state to an active state, transmission information is transmitted to an external device of the first power storage device. As a result, when the power device or the attachment device receives the transmission information, it can recognize that the startup process of the first power storage device has been completed. Therefore, at least the first power storage device can be started up efficiently and in a short time.

[0158] In a second aspect of the present invention, the control method may further include a seventh step (step S6) prior to the third step of transmitting identification information used to assign identification information that identifies the first storage device and the second storage device.

[0159] This enables the first power storage device to execute the process of assigning identification information based on the received identification information.

[0160] In a third aspect of the present invention, a program causes a computer (26) to execute the above-described method for controlling a power system.

[0161] Even in this case, after the first power storage device switches from the inactive state to the active state, transmission information is transmitted to the outside of the first power storage device. As a result, when the power device or the attachment device receives the transmission information, it can recognize that the startup process of the first power storage device has been completed. Therefore, at least the first power storage device can be started up efficiently and in a short time.

[0162] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a storage medium (58) stores the above program.

[0163] Even in this case, after the first power storage device switches from the inactive state to the active state, transmission information is transmitted to the outside of the first power storage device. As a result, when the power device or the attachment device receives the transmission information, it can recognize that the startup process of the first power storage device has been completed. Therefore, at least the first power storage device can be started up efficiently and in a short time.

[0164] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a power storage device having a power storage unit, the power storage device having an activation processing unit that switches the state of the power storage device to an active state in which the power storage unit can be electrically connected to the outside of the power storage device, or an inactive state in which the power storage unit cannot be electrically connected to the outside of the power storage device, and a transmission unit that transmits transmission information to the outside of the power storage device, wherein the activation processing unit is configured to switch to the active state or the inactive state in response to a command from an activation command unit outside the power storage device, and the transmission information includes at least one of information indicating that the power storage device has switched from the inactive state to the active state, or information that is transmitted to the outside of the power storage device when the power storage device is in the active state.

[0165] In this configuration, after the power storage device switches from the inactive state to the active state, transmission information is transmitted to an external device of the power storage device. As a result, when the power device or the attachment device receives the transmission information, it can recognize that the startup process of the power storage device has been completed. Therefore, the power storage device can be started up efficiently and in a short time.

[0166] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a power device to which a storage device having a power storage unit can be attached / detached, wherein the power device or an attachment device attached to the power device has an activation command unit that outputs commands to the storage device and a receiving unit that receives transmitted information from outside the power device or outside the attachment device, and the storage device is configured to be switchable between an active state in which the storage unit can be electrically connected to the outside of the storage device, and an inactive state in which the storage unit cannot be electrically connected to the outside of the storage device, and the transmitted information is transmitted from the storage device and includes at least one of information indicating that the storage device has switched from the inactive state to the active state, or information transmitted to the outside of the storage device when the storage device is in the active state.

[0167] In this configuration, after the power storage device switches from the inactive state to the active state, transmission information is transmitted to the outside of the power storage device, so that when the power device or the attachment device receives the transmission information, it can recognize that the startup process of the power storage device has been completed.

[0168] The present invention is not limited to the above disclosure, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Claims

1. A power system (10) including a power storage device (12, 14) having a power storage unit (44, 46) and a power device (16) to which the power storage device is detachable, The power storage device is an activation processing unit (121, 123) that switches the state of the power storage device between an active state in which the power storage unit can be electrically connected to the outside of the power storage device and an inactive state in which the power storage unit cannot be electrically connected to the outside of the power storage device; a transmitting unit (120, 122) that transmits transmission information to an outside of the power storage device; and The electric power device or a mounting device (57) mounted on the electric power device has an activation command unit (62) that outputs a command to the activation processing unit, a receiving unit (64) that receives the transmitted information from outside the electric power device or outside the mounting device, and a determining unit (60) that determines that the storage device has switched to the activated state based on the transmitted information received by the receiving unit, the activation processing unit is configured to switch between the active state and the inactive state in response to the command output from the activation command unit, the transmission information includes at least one of information indicating that the power storage device has switched from the inactive state to the active state or information transmitted to an outside of the power storage device when the power storage device is in the active state, The power storage device includes at least a first power storage device (12) and a second power storage device (14), each having the power storage unit; The first storage device has a first activation processing unit (121) that is the activation processing unit and a first transmission unit (120) that is the transmission unit, The second storage device has a second active processing unit (123) that is the active processing unit, the power device or the attachment device has another transmission unit (66) that transmits, via a communication network, identification information used to assign identification information that identifies the first power storage device and the second power storage device; the first power storage device and the second power storage device each have another receiving unit (120, 122) that receives the identification information via the communication network, When the first power storage device and the second power storage device are both in the inactive state, the activation command unit outputs a first command, which is the command to switch the first power storage device to the active state, only to the first activation processing unit, and the other transmission unit starts transmitting the identification information; After the first activation processing unit receives the first command and the first power storage device is switched to the active state, the first transmission unit transmits first transmission information that is the transmission information; the determination unit determines, when the receiving unit receives the first transmission information, that the first power storage device has switched to the active state based on the first transmission information; the other transmission unit stops transmitting the identification information based on the determination that the first power storage device has switched to the active state; The activation command unit outputs a second command to the second activation processing unit, which is the command to switch the second storage device to the active state, based on the determination that the first storage device has switched to the active state.

2. 2. The power system of claim 1, In the power system, the first transmission information is identification completion information indicating that a process of assigning the identification information in the first power storage device has been completed.

3. In the power system according to claim 1, The power device or the mounting device includes a computer (26) having the activation command unit and the receiving unit (64), the transmitting unit and the receiving unit are communicably connected via the communication network, The power system, wherein the computer starts transmitting information indicating that the computer has started up via the communication network prior to outputting the command.

4. 2. The power system of claim 1, the determination unit determines that the first power storage device has not been switched to at least the active state when the receiving unit does not receive the first transmission information within a predetermined time after the activation command unit outputs the first command, The activation command unit outputs the second command to the second activation processing unit based on the determination unit determining that the first power storage device has not at least switched to the active state.

5. 2. The power system of claim 1, Further provided with a notification unit (28), the determination unit determines that the first power storage device has not been switched to at least the active state when the receiving unit does not receive the first transmission information within a predetermined time after the activation command unit outputs the first command, and The notification unit notifies an external device of the first storage device that power cannot be output from the first storage device based on the determination unit that the first storage device has not at least switched to the active state.

6. 2. The power system of claim 1, The second storage device further includes a second transmission unit (122) that is the transmission unit, After the second activation processing unit receives the second command and the second power storage device is switched to the active state, the second transmission unit transmits second transmission information that is the transmission information; The determination unit determines, when the receiving unit receives the second transmission information, that the second power storage device has switched to the active state based on the second transmission information.

7. In the power system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The transmitting unit and the receiving unit are communicably connected via the communication network (48), the transmitting unit transmits the transmission information via the communication network; The receiving unit receives the transmission information via the communication network.

8. In the power system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, An electric power system, wherein the first transmission information includes first identification information, which is the identification information assigned to the first storage device when a first receiving unit, which is the other receiving unit possessed by the first storage device, receives the identification information.

9. In the power system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The other transmitter transmits the identification information when a new power storage device is attached to the power device.

10. A control method for a power system including a power storage device having a power storage unit and a power device to which the power storage device is detachable, comprising: The power storage device is an activation processing unit that switches the state of the power storage device between an active state in which the power storage unit and the outside of the power storage device can be electrically connected and an inactive state in which the power storage unit and the outside of the power storage device cannot be electrically connected; a transmitter that transmits transmission information to an outside of the power storage device; and The electric power device or a mounting device mounted on the electric power device includes an activation command unit that outputs a command to the activation processing unit, a receiving unit that receives the transmission information from outside the electric power device or outside the mounting device, and a determining unit that determines that the power storage device has switched to the active state based on the transmission information received by the receiving unit, the activation processing unit is configured to switch between the active state and the inactive state in response to the command output from the activation command unit, the transmission information includes at least one of information indicating that the power storage device has switched from the inactive state to the active state or information transmitted to an outside of the power storage device when the power storage device is in the active state, the power storage device includes at least a first power storage device and a second power storage device each having the power storage unit, the first power storage device includes a first activation processing unit that is the activation processing unit and a first transmission unit that is the transmission unit, the second power storage device has a second active processing unit that is the active processing unit, the power device or the attachment device has another transmission unit that transmits, via a communication network, identification information used to assign identification information that identifies the first power storage device and the second power storage device, the first power storage device and the second power storage device each include another receiving unit that receives the identification information via the communication network, The control method includes: a first step (S3, S6) in which, when both the first power storage device and the second power storage device are in the inactive state, the activation command unit outputs a first command, which is the command to switch the first power storage device to the active state, only to the first activation processing unit, and the other transmission unit starts transmitting the identification information; a second step (S4) in which the first activation processing unit receives the first command and switches the first power storage device to the active state; a third step (S9) in which the first transmission unit transmits first transmission information, which is the transmission information; a fourth step (S10) in which the receiving unit receives the first transmission information; a fifth step (S11) of determining, based on the first transmission information, that the first power storage device has switched to the active state; a sixth step (S12, S13) of stopping transmission of the identification information and transmitting a second command to the second activation processing unit, the second command being the command to switch the second storage device to the active state, based on the determination that the first storage device has switched to the active state; A method for controlling a power system comprising:

11. A program that causes a computer (26) to execute the power system control method according to claim 10.

12. A storage medium (58) storing the program according to claim 11.

13. A power storage device having a power storage unit, an activation processing unit that switches the state of the power storage device between an active state in which the power storage unit and the outside of the power storage device can be electrically connected and an inactive state in which the power storage unit and the outside of the power storage device cannot be electrically connected; a transmitter that transmits transmission information to an outside of the power storage device; and the activation processing unit is configured to switch between the active state and the inactive state in response to a command from an activation command unit external to the power storage device, the transmission information includes at least one of information indicating that the power storage device has switched from the inactive state to the active state, or information transmitted to an outside of the power storage device when the power storage device is in the active state, and is received by a receiving unit external to the power storage device, and a determining unit external to the power storage device determines whether or not the power storage device has switched to the active state based on the transmission information received by the receiving unit; the power storage device includes at least a first power storage device and a second power storage device each having the power storage unit, the first power storage device includes a first activation processing unit that is the activation processing unit and a first transmission unit that is the transmission unit, the second power storage device has a second active processing unit that is the active processing unit, the first power storage device and the second power storage device each include another receiving unit that receives identification information used to assign identification information that identifies the first power storage device and the second power storage device, the identification information being transmitted from another transmitting unit external to the power storage device via a communication network; When the first power storage device and the second power storage device are both in the inactive state, the activation command unit outputs a first command, which is the command to switch the first power storage device to the active state, only to the first activation processing unit, and the other transmission unit starts transmitting the identification information; After the first activation processing unit receives the first command and the first power storage device is switched to the active state, the first transmission unit transmits first transmission information that is the transmission information; when the receiving unit receives the first transmission information, the determining unit determines, based on the first transmission information, that the first power storage device has switched to the active state; A storage device, wherein, based on a determination that the first storage device has switched to the active state, the other transmitting unit stops transmitting the identification information, and the activation command unit outputs a second command to the second activation processing unit, which is the command to switch the second storage device to the active state.

14. A power device in which a power storage device having a power storage unit is detachable, The power storage device is an activation processing unit that switches the state of the power storage device between an active state in which the power storage unit and the outside of the power storage device can be electrically connected and an inactive state in which the power storage unit and the outside of the power storage device cannot be electrically connected; a transmitter that transmits transmission information to an outside of the power storage device; and The electric power device or a mounting device mounted on the electric power device includes an activation command unit that outputs a command to the activation processing unit, a receiving unit that receives the transmission information from outside the electric power device or outside the mounting device, and a determining unit that determines that the power storage device has switched to the active state based on the transmission information received by the receiving unit, the activation processing unit is configured to switch between the active state and the inactive state in response to the command output from the activation command unit, the transmission information is transmitted from the power storage device and includes at least one of information indicating that the power storage device has switched from the inactive state to the active state, or information transmitted to an outside of the power storage device when the power storage device is in the active state; the power storage device includes at least a first power storage device and a second power storage device each having the power storage unit, the first power storage device includes a first activation processing unit that is the activation processing unit and a first transmission unit that is the transmission unit, the second power storage device has a second active processing unit that is the active processing unit, the power device or the attachment device has another transmission unit that transmits, via a communication network, identification information used to assign identification information that identifies the first power storage device and the second power storage device, the first power storage device and the second power storage device each include another receiving unit that receives the identification information via the communication network, When the first power storage device and the second power storage device are both in the inactive state, the activation command unit outputs a first command, which is the command to switch the first power storage device to the active state, only to the first activation processing unit, and the other transmission unit starts transmitting the identification information; After the first activation processing unit receives the first command and the first power storage device is switched to the active state, the first transmission unit transmits first transmission information that is the transmission information; the determination unit determines, when the receiving unit receives the first transmission information, that the first power storage device has switched to the active state based on the first transmission information; the other transmission unit stops transmitting the identification information based on the determination that the first power storage device has switched to the active state; The activation command unit outputs a second command to the second activation processing unit, which is the command to switch the second storage device to the active state, based on the determination that the first storage device has switched to the active state.

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