Battery-connected devices

Abstract

To provide a battery information collection device and a battery monitoring system that are capable of evaluating thermal runaway of a plurality of batteries more accurately than ever before.SOLUTION: A battery information collection device includes a communication unit that receives battery data indicating an operating state of a battery from a plurality of battery systems each including the battery, and transmits an evaluation threshold value to the battery systems for the battery systems to evaluate thermal runaway of the battery, and a calculation unit that generates an evaluation threshold value based on the battery data acquired from the communication unit and outputs the evaluation threshold value to the communication unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery information collection device and a battery monitoring system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a power supply device for a vehicle that can reliably prevent thermal runaway in a battery while using an extremely simple circuit configuration for preventing thermal runaway. This power supply device includes multiple batteries that drive a motor, a temperature detection circuit that detects the temperature of the batteries, and an abnormal temperature rise prevention circuit that prevents abnormal temperature rise in the batteries. The temperature detection circuit includes multiple temperature sensors that are thermally coupled to the batteries and change their electrical resistance with battery temperature, a voltage conversion circuit that converts the change in electrical resistance of each temperature sensor into a voltage change, an A / D converter that converts the output voltage of the voltage conversion circuit into a digital signal, and a control circuit that receives the temperature signal from the A / D converter. The abnormal temperature rise prevention circuit includes a comparator that compares the output voltage from the voltage conversion circuit of the temperature detection circuit with a reference voltage and outputs an abnormal temperature signal if the battery temperature rises above a set temperature, and a forced current cut-off circuit connected to the comparator that detects the abnormal temperature signal from the comparator and cuts off the battery current. The control circuit and abnormal temperature rise prevention circuit monitor the battery temperature and control the battery current. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4931378 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, while the background art evaluates thermal runaway in a single vehicle, i.e., a single battery, it is assumed that the thermal runaway characteristics will differ for each vehicle and battery depending on the operating environment and operating state of the vehicle and battery, making it difficult to accurately evaluate thermal runaway for multiple batteries with different operating environments and operating states.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a battery information collection device and a battery monitoring system that are capable of evaluating thermal runaway in multiple batteries more accurately than conventional methods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts, as a first solution means for a battery information collection device, a means comprising a communication unit that receives battery data indicating the operating state of batteries from multiple battery systems equipped with batteries and transmits an evaluation threshold value to the battery system for the battery system to evaluate thermal runaway of the batteries, and a calculation unit that generates the evaluation threshold value based on the battery data acquired from the communication unit and outputs the evaluation threshold value to the communication unit.

[0007] In the present invention, as a second solution related to a battery information collection device, in the above-mentioned first solution, the calculation unit creates a histogram of data values ​​of multiple batteries based on the battery data, and generates the evaluation threshold value based on the histogram.

[0008] The present invention provides a third solution related to a battery information collection device, which employs the first solution described above, wherein the battery data includes normal battery data when the battery is normal and abnormal battery data when the battery is abnormal, and the calculation unit sets a data value between a normal histogram showing the distribution of the normal battery data and an abnormal histogram showing the distribution of the abnormal battery data as the evaluation threshold value.

[0009] In the present invention, as a fourth solution related to a battery information collection device, in any of the first to third solution means above, the calculation unit generates the evaluation threshold value for each type of battery data and outputs it to the communication unit.

[0010] The present invention employs, as a first solution relating to a battery monitoring system, a solution comprising a battery information collection device relating to any one of the first to fourth solution means and a plurality of the battery systems.

[0011] In the present invention, as a second solution related to a battery monitoring system, in the above-mentioned first solution, the battery system adopts a means in which the evaluation threshold stored in itself is updated to the evaluation threshold received from the battery information collection device, and thermal runaway of the battery is evaluated based on the updated evaluation threshold.

[0012] In the present invention, as a third solution related to a battery monitoring system, in the above-mentioned first or second solution, the battery system adopts a means in which the battery data includes transmitting at least the battery voltage and battery temperature to the battery information collection device.

[0013] In the present invention, as a fourth solution related to a battery monitoring system, in any of the first to third solutions above, a means is adopted in which each battery system transmits an abnormality in the battery to the battery information collection device when thermal runaway of the battery is detected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery information collection device and a battery monitoring system that are capable of evaluating thermal runaway in a plurality of batteries more accurately than conventional methods. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a system configuration diagram showing the configuration of a battery monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2]1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of battery systems P1 to Pn and a battery data server D according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of battery systems P1 to Pn in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a battery monitoring support server D (battery information collection device) according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a histogram calculation method for a battery monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a method for determining thermal runaway in a battery monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1, a battery monitoring system A according to this embodiment includes a plurality of (n) battery systems P1 to Pn, a public line N, and a battery monitoring support server D. Note that "n" is a natural number of 2 or more.

[0017] The n battery systems P1 to Pn are provided in the electric vehicles M1 to Mn, respectively. That is, the first battery system P1 is provided in the first electric vehicle M1, the second battery system P2 is provided in the second electric vehicle M2, etc., and the nth battery system Pn is provided in the nth electric vehicle Mn.

[0018] The multiple (n) electric vehicles M1 to Mn are vehicles that run on running power generated by electric motors, and are equipped with battery systems P1 to Pn as power supply systems for driving the electric motors. Note that these electric vehicles M1 to Mn may be, for example, hybrid vehicles or electric vehicles.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2(a), the n battery systems P1 to Pn have almost the same functional configuration. That is, the n battery systems P1 to Pn have, as common functional components, a battery 1, a CVS 2, a BMU 3, a communication unit 4, and an abnormality detection circuit 5. The battery 1, CVS 2, BMU 3, and communication unit 4 are electrically connected to each other.

[0020] The battery 1 is a battery pack and secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery or a fuel cell, and is made up of one or more battery modules connected in series, supplying DC power of the total voltage (battery voltage) of the electromotive voltages of the battery modules to an external load. The battery module that makes up the battery 1 is made up of multiple battery cells connected in series. The load is a PCU (Power Control Unit) that electrically drives the electric motor (travel motor) mentioned above.

[0021] The battery 1 is also equipped with several sensors. That is, the battery 1 is equipped with a temperature sensor that outputs a temperature detection signal indicating the temperature of the battery 1 (battery temperature), and a current sensor that outputs a current detection signal indicating the output current (battery current) of the battery 1. If the battery 1 is composed of multiple battery modules, the temperature sensor is provided for each battery module.

[0022] The CVS2 is electrically connected to the battery 1 and is a voltage detection circuit (cell voltage sensor) that detects the voltage of each battery cell (cell voltage). That is, the CVS2 receives an electrode voltage signal indicating the voltage of each electrode from each battery cell, and detects the cell voltage of each battery cell based on this electrode voltage signal. The CVS2 also converts the cell voltage (analog voltage) of each battery cell into a digital value (cell voltage data) and outputs it to the BMU3.

[0023] Furthermore, the CVS 2 amplifies the temperature detection signal input from the battery 1 and then performs A / D conversion to generate battery temperature data indicating the battery temperature of the battery 1. In addition to the cell voltage data of each battery cell described above, the CVS 2 also outputs battery temperature data to the BMU 3. Such cell voltage data and battery temperature data are battery data indicating the operating state of the battery 1.

[0024] Furthermore, the CVS 2 is provided with a plurality of discharge circuits, one for each battery cell, for forcibly discharging the battery cell. Each discharge circuit is a series circuit consisting of an electronic switch that turns on / off based on a control signal input from the BMU 3 and a discharge resistor with a predetermined resistance, with one end connected to one electrode of the battery cell and the other end connected to the other electrode of the battery cell. When the electronic switch is set to the ON state, each discharge circuit forcibly discharges the battery cell, and when the electronic switch is set to the OFF state, each discharge circuit forcibly discharges the battery cell.

[0025] The BMU 3 is a battery management unit that monitors the battery 1. That is, the BMU 3 monitors the operation of the battery 1 by comprehensively controlling the CVS 2 and the communication unit 4 based on a pre-stored monitoring control program.

[0026] More specifically, BMU3 monitors the operation of battery 1 based on battery data (cell voltage data and battery temperature data) input from CVS2, a current detection signal input from battery 1, and control commands input from higher-level control devices of electric vehicles M1 to Mn, and performs several monitoring processes as necessary.

[0027] As part of the monitoring process, the BMU 3 evaluates thermal runaway of the battery 1, and outputs the evaluation result together with battery data (cell voltage data and battery temperature data) to the communication unit 4, which then transmits the result to the battery monitoring support server D. The battery data in this embodiment includes normal battery data when the battery 1 is normal (not in thermal runaway state) and abnormal battery data when the battery 1 is abnormal (in thermal runaway state).

[0028] That is, the BMU3 classifies the battery data (cell voltage data and battery temperature data) into abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) when the battery 1 experiences thermal runaway and normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data) when the battery 1 does not experience thermal runaway, and transmits the data to the battery monitoring support server D.

[0029] Another monitoring process is cell balance control, which equalizes the state of charge of each battery cell. That is, when the BMU 3 determines that the state of charge of each battery cell is not uniform, it turns on the discharge circuit of the battery cell with the greater charge level, thereby forcibly discharging the battery cell with the greater charge level. This restores the uniformity of the state of charge of each battery cell.

[0030] The communication unit 4 is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication via the public line N. That is, the communication unit 4 generates transmission packets (upstream communication packets) that comply with the communication protocol of the public line N and transmits them to the battery monitoring support server D, and also receives transmission packets (downstream communication packets) that comply with the communication protocol of the public line N from the battery monitoring support server D.

[0031] Here, the upstream communication packet stores, as transmission data, for example, abnormal data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) or normal data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data), while the downstream communication packet stores, as transmission data, an evaluation threshold value for the BMU 3 to evaluate thermal runaway of the battery 1.

[0032] The abnormality detection circuit 5 is electrically connected to the battery 1, CVS 2, and BMU 3, and receives electrode voltage signals and temperature detection signals of each battery cell from the battery 1. The abnormality detection circuit 5 compares each electrode voltage signal and temperature detection signal with an evaluation threshold value to determine whether the operating state of the battery 1 is normal or abnormal, and outputs this determination result to the CVS 2 and BMU 3.

[0033] That is, when the abnormality detection circuit 5 determines that the battery 1 is abnormal as a result of comparing each electrode voltage signal and temperature detection signal with the evaluation threshold, it outputs an abnormality signal indicating that the battery is abnormal to the CVS 2 and BMU 3. On the other hand, when the abnormality detection circuit 5 determines that the battery 1 is normal as a result of comparing each electrode voltage signal and temperature detection signal with the evaluation threshold, it outputs a normality signal indicating that the battery is normal to the CVS 2 and BMU 3.

[0034] Here, the n battery systems P1 to Pn have a sleep mode and a normal mode as operation modes. The sleep mode is a power-saving mode with more limited functions than the normal mode. The normal mode is an operation mode in which all possible functions are exercised, and power consumption is significantly greater than in the power-saving mode.

[0035] Of the battery 1, CVS 2, BMU 3, communication unit 4, and abnormality detection circuit 5 that make up each battery system P1 to Pn, the abnormality detection circuit 5 is a constantly energized circuit that is always supplied with power and performs its desired function regardless of whether it is in sleep mode or normal mode. In contrast, the CVS 2 and BMU 3 are emergency energized circuits that are supplied with power in normal mode and perform their desired function, but are not supplied with power in sleep mode and do not perform their desired function.

[0036] 1 is a wireless communication line for mobile phones or the like, and relays wireless communication between the n battery systems P1 to Pn and the battery monitoring support server D. This public line N is connected to the well-known Internet, and wirelessly connects the battery monitoring support server D, which is provided as a web server on the Internet, with the n battery systems P1 to Pn, which are mobile terminals.

[0037] The battery monitoring support server D is a battery information collection device according to this embodiment. As described above, this battery monitoring support server D is provided as a Web server on the Internet. The n battery systems P1 to Pn are positioned as clients of the battery monitoring support server D (Web server).

[0038] 2(b), the battery monitoring support server D includes a communication unit 6, a calculation unit 7, and a storage unit 8. The communication unit 6, like the communication unit 4 of each of the battery systems P1 to Pn described above, is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication via the public line N. That is, the communication unit 6 generates transmission packets (downstream communication packets) that comply with the communication protocol of the public line N and transmits them to each of the battery systems P1 to Pn, and also receives transmission packets (upstream communication packets) that comply with the communication protocol of the public line N from each of the battery systems P1 to Pn.

[0039] The communication unit 6 extracts transmission data, i.e., abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) or normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data), from the upstream communication packet and outputs it to the calculation unit 7. Furthermore, the communication unit 6 stores the evaluation threshold input from the calculation unit 7 as transmission data in the upstream communication packet and transmits it to each battery system P1 to Pn.

[0040] The calculation unit 7 performs predetermined information processing based on the battery monitoring support program read from the storage unit 8. That is, the calculation unit 7 is electrically connected to the communication unit 6 and the storage unit 8, and stores the battery data input from the communication unit 6, i.e., abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) and normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data), in the storage unit 8 based on the battery monitoring support program.

[0041] Furthermore, the calculation unit 7 generates an evaluation threshold based on the battery data read from the storage unit 8 and the attribute data of the battery 1 pre-stored in the storage unit 8, in accordance with the battery monitoring support program, and outputs the evaluation threshold to the communication unit 6. That is, the calculation unit 7 generates the evaluation threshold by performing predetermined information processing on the abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) and normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data) that have been temporarily stored in the storage unit 8.

[0042] The storage unit 8 stores in advance attribute data for each battery 1 mounted in each of the electric vehicles M1 to Mn. The storage unit 8 also sequentially stores abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) and normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data) input from the calculation unit 7. The storage unit 8 also stores in advance the battery monitoring support program described above.

[0043] Next, the operation of the battery monitoring system A according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

[0044] The battery monitoring system A has the effect of evaluating thermal runaway of each battery 1 installed in each electric vehicle M1 to Mn more accurately than conventional methods by having n battery systems P1 to Pn and a battery monitoring support server D (a battery information collection device according to this embodiment) communicate wirelessly with each other via a public line N.

[0045] First, the operation of each battery system P1 to Pn will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 3. In each battery system P1 to Pn, the abnormality detection circuit 5, which is a constantly energized circuit, constantly evaluates the state of the battery 1 based on the electrode voltage signal and temperature detection signal of each battery cell and the evaluation threshold value, regardless of whether the system is in sleep mode or normal mode (step S1).

[0046] If the detection result of the abnormality detection circuit 5, that is, the result of the battery 1 state evaluation, is "abnormal," an abnormality signal is output to the CVS 2 and the BMU 3. If the CVS 2 and the BMU 3 are in sleep mode, the supply of power to them is started and they start up (step S2). That is, when the abnormality signal is input from the abnormality detection circuit 5, the CVS 2 and the BMU 3 switch their operation mode from sleep mode to normal mode.

[0047] Then, the CVS 2 starts taking in the cell voltage and battery temperature from the battery 1, sequentially acquiring the cell voltage and battery temperature at predetermined time intervals (step S3), and sequentially outputs abnormal cell voltage data indicating the cell voltage and abnormal battery temperature data indicating the battery temperature, i.e., abnormal battery data, to the BMU 3. The BMU 3 then sequentially saves the abnormal battery data sequentially input from the CVS 2 in its internal memory (step S4).

[0048] Then, when the amount of abnormal battery data in the internal memory exceeds a predetermined amount (step S5), the BMU 3 causes the communication unit 4 to transmit the abnormal battery data (step S6). That is, the BMU 3 reads out the predetermined amount of abnormal battery data from the internal memory and outputs it to the communication unit 4, thereby causing the predetermined amount of abnormal battery data to be included in an upstream communication packet and transmitted to the battery monitoring support server D.

[0049] On the other hand, if the abnormality detection circuit 5 evaluates the battery 1 as "normal" (step S1), it outputs a normal signal to the CVS2 and the BMU3. The CVS2 and the BMU3 start up if their operating modes are sleep mode, but if they are normal mode, the CVS2 starts taking in the cell voltage and battery temperature from the battery 1. The CVS2 then sequentially acquires the cell voltage and battery temperature at predetermined time intervals (step S7) and sequentially outputs normal cell voltage data indicating the cell voltage and normal battery temperature data indicating the battery temperature, i.e., normal battery data, to the BMU3. The BMU3 then sequentially saves the normal battery data sequentially input from the CVS2 in its internal memory (step S8).

[0050] Then, when the amount of normal battery data in the internal memory exceeds a predetermined amount (step S9), the BMU 3 causes the communication unit 4 to transmit the normal battery data (step S10). That is, the BMU 3 reads out the predetermined amount of normal battery data from the internal memory and outputs it to the communication unit 4, thereby causing the predetermined amount of normal battery data to be included in an upstream communication packet and transmitted to the battery monitoring support server D.

[0051] Furthermore, when the communication unit 4 receives an update request, the judgment result in step S1 becomes "update." That is, when the communication unit 4 receives an update request from the battery monitoring support server D, this update request is input from the communication unit 4 to the BMU 3. When this update request is input to the communication unit 4, if the BMU 3's own operation mode is sleep mode, power supply is started and the BMU 3 starts up (step S11). That is, when the update request is input from the communication unit 4, the operation mode of the CVS 2 and BMU 3 switches from sleep mode to normal mode.

[0052] The BMU 3 then causes the communication unit 4 to receive a new evaluation threshold (updated evaluation threshold) based on the update request (step S12). The BMU 3 then stores the updated evaluation threshold in its internal memory (step S13). Once the updated evaluation threshold is newly stored in its internal memory, the abnormality detection circuit 5 evaluates the operating state of the battery 1 using the updated evaluation threshold.

[0053] That is, in each of the battery systems P1 to Pn in this embodiment, the evaluation threshold for evaluating the operating state of the battery 1 is updated every time an updated evaluation threshold is newly stored in the BMU 3.

[0054] In addition, the evaluation thresholds that are sequentially updated in each battery system P1 to Pn are generated based on the abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) and normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data) received by the battery monitoring support server D from the battery systems P1 to Pn, as shown in the flowchart of Figure 4.

[0055] The communication unit 6 of the battery monitoring support server D receives upstream communication packets sent sequentially from the communication units 1 of each battery system P1 to Pn (step Sa1), extracts abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) or normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data) from the upstream communication packets, and outputs them to the calculation unit 7.

[0056] Then, the calculation unit 7 causes the abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) or normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data) sequentially input from the communication unit 6 to be stored (saved) in the storage unit 8 sequentially.

[0057] Then, the calculation unit 7 creates a thermal runaway model of the battery 1 by performing the statistical processing described below on the abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) and normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data) read from the memory unit 8 (step Sa2).

[0058] That is, the calculation unit 7 performs histogram processing on multiple abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) and normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data) acquired from each battery system P1 to Pn, thereby creating histograms of the abnormal battery data and normal battery data as shown in Figure 5.

[0059] The histograms are created for each type of abnormal battery data and normal battery data. That is, the calculation unit 7 creates a cell voltage histogram for the abnormal cell voltage data and normal cell voltage data, and a battery temperature histogram for the abnormal battery temperature data and normal battery temperature data.

[0060] The histograms for each type have different frequency distributions for the data values ​​of abnormal battery data and normal battery data, as shown in Figure 5. In other words, the abnormal histogram formed by multiple abnormal battery data and the normal histogram formed by multiple normal battery data are obtained when the operating states of the battery 1 are different, and therefore have independent frequency distributions that do not overlap with each other.

[0061] Such histograms for each type of abnormal battery data and normal battery data are a statistical thermal runaway model of the battery 1. That is, the thermal runaway model of the battery 1 in this embodiment is composed of multiple histograms given by the abnormal battery data and normal battery data for each type.

[0062] For each type of histogram (cell voltage histogram and battery temperature histogram), the calculation unit 7 extracts the data value R located midway between the minimum value of the abnormal histogram and the maximum value of the normal histogram as an updated evaluation threshold value (step Sa3).

[0063] The calculation unit 7 calculates the difference between the updated evaluation threshold value extracted in this way and the current evaluation threshold value, that is, the amount of change (threshold change amount) between the updated evaluation threshold value extracted in step Sa3 and the evaluation threshold value set in the previous update process (step Sa4).The calculation unit 7 then determines whether this threshold change amount exceeds a preset change amount evaluation value (step Sa5).

[0064] If the determination in step Sa5 is "Yes," the calculation unit 7 outputs the updated evaluation threshold extracted in step Sa3 to the communication unit 6, which transmits the updated evaluation threshold to each of the battery systems P1 to Pn (step Sa6). That is, when the updated evaluation threshold is input from the calculation unit 7, the communication unit 6 incorporates the updated evaluation threshold into a downstream communication packet and transmits the packet to each of the battery systems P1 to Pn.

[0065] According to this embodiment, the battery monitoring support server D generates an updated evaluation threshold based on the abnormal battery data and normal battery data acquired from the battery systems P1 to Pn, so that the updated evaluation threshold reflects the operating states of the batteries 1 in the battery systems P1 to Pn. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to evaluate thermal runaway in the batteries 1 more accurately than before.

[0066] Furthermore, the updated evaluation thresholds in the multiple battery systems P1 to Pn are received from the battery monitoring support server D and updated each time the threshold change amount exceeds the change amount evaluation value, and are therefore updated appropriately over the course of use of the battery 1. That is, according to this embodiment, the updated evaluation thresholds are updated sequentially in chronological order, making it possible to accurately determine thermal runaway in the multiple batteries 1 over the course of use of the battery 1.

[0067] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the evaluation thresholds for evaluating cell voltage and battery temperature are generated based on abnormal battery data and normal battery data for multiple batteries 1, making it possible to more accurately evaluate thermal runaway of multiple batteries 1 based on cell voltage and battery temperature.

[0068] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the battery information collection device is configured as a battery monitoring support server D, i.e., a Web server, so that information exchange with multiple battery systems P1-Pn, i.e., multiple electric vehicles M1-Mn, which are mobile bodies, is easy. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a convenient battery monitoring system A.

[0069] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following modifications are possible. (1) In the above embodiment, the types of battery data, i.e., the parameters for evaluating thermal runaway of the battery 1, are cell voltage data (cell voltage) and battery temperature data (battery temperature), but the present invention is not limited to this. Possible types of battery data, i.e., the parameters for evaluating thermal runaway of the battery 1, are, for example, those shown in FIG. 6(a).

[0070] That is, in addition to cell voltage data (cell voltage) and battery temperature data (battery temperature), types of battery data may include, for example, overall SOC (State of Charge) data (SOC) of battery 1, charging cycle data (cycle) of battery 1, type data (type) of battery 1, vehicle model data (vehicle model) of electric vehicles M1 to Mn in which battery 1 is installed, and usage environment data (usage environment) of battery 1 (electric vehicles M1 to Mn).

[0071] Each battery system P1 to Pn transmits the cell voltage data, battery temperature data, SOC data, charging cycle data, type data, vehicle model data, and usage environment data to a battery monitoring support server D (battery information collection device). In response, the battery monitoring support server D creates multiple histograms based on the voltage data, battery temperature data, SOC data, charging cycle data, type data, vehicle model data, and usage environment data, as shown in FIG. 6(b).

[0072] Then, based on each histogram, the battery monitoring support server D generates an evaluation threshold corresponding to the voltage data (cell voltage evaluation threshold), an evaluation threshold corresponding to the battery temperature data (battery temperature evaluation threshold), an evaluation threshold corresponding to the SOC data (SOC voltage evaluation threshold), an evaluation threshold corresponding to the charging cycle data (charging cycle evaluation threshold), an evaluation threshold corresponding to the type data (battery type evaluation threshold), an evaluation threshold corresponding to the vehicle model data (vehicle model evaluation threshold), and an evaluation threshold corresponding to the usage environment data (usage environment evaluation threshold).

[0073] Then, the battery monitoring support server D transmits these multiple evaluation thresholds (cell voltage evaluation threshold, battery temperature evaluation threshold, SOC voltage evaluation threshold, charging cycle evaluation threshold, battery type evaluation threshold, vehicle type evaluation threshold, and usage environment evaluation threshold, etc.) to each battery system P1 to Pn. Then, each battery system P1 to Pn evaluates thermal runaway in its own battery 1 based on the cell voltage evaluation threshold, battery temperature evaluation threshold, SOC voltage evaluation threshold, charging cycle evaluation threshold, battery type evaluation threshold, vehicle type evaluation threshold, and usage environment evaluation threshold, etc.

[0074] (2) In the above embodiment, the update condition is that the threshold change amount exceeds the change amount evaluation value, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an amount other than the threshold change amount, such as the elapsed time since the previous update time, may be the update condition. Note that if the elapsed time is the update condition, when the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined elapsed time evaluation value, the newly acquired evaluation threshold value at this time is transmitted to each battery system P1 to Pn to update it.

[0075] (3) In the above embodiment, the thermal runaway model is created using histograms of various types of battery data, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the thermal runaway model may be created based on statistical data other than histograms.

[0076] (4) In the above embodiment, the battery systems P1 to Pn and the battery monitoring support server D (battery information collection device) are connected wirelessly via a public line N (relay line), but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the battery systems P1 to Pn and the battery monitoring support server D (battery information collection device) may be directly connected wirelessly without using a relay line. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] A Battery monitoring system D Battery monitoring support server (battery information collection device) M1~Mn electric vehicles N Public line P1~Pn battery system 1 battery 2. CVS 3 BMU 4. Communications Department 5. Abnormality detection circuit 6. Communications Department 7 Arithmetic section 8 Memory section

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus connected to a battery that supplies power to an external load, comprising: a voltage detection circuit that detects the cell voltage of the battery and outputs the detected cell voltage as battery data; a battery monitoring device for evaluating thermal runaway of the battery; an abnormality detection circuit that determines the operating state of the battery; a communication unit that transmits the battery data transmitted from the battery monitoring device to a battery monitoring support server; Equipped with the abnormality detection circuit determines the operating state of the battery by comparing an electrode voltage signal of the battery cell of the battery and a temperature detection signal indicating the temperature of the battery with an evaluation threshold value for evaluating thermal runaway, and outputs the determination result to the voltage detection circuit and the battery monitoring device; the voltage detection circuit outputs the battery data to the battery monitoring device; The battery monitoring device classifying the battery data into normal battery data and abnormal battery data based on the determination result, causing the communication unit to transmit the abnormal battery data to the battery monitoring support server when a predetermined amount of the abnormal battery data is stored, and causing the communication unit to transmit the normal battery data to the battery monitoring support server when a predetermined amount of the normal battery data is stored; 1. A device connected to a battery, comprising:

2. the battery monitoring device updates the pre-stored evaluation threshold value to the evaluation threshold value received from the battery monitoring support server; the abnormality detection circuit determines the operating state of the battery based on the updated evaluation threshold value.

2. A device connected to the battery of claim 1.

3. 3. The device connected to a battery according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality detection circuit constantly determines the operating state of the battery.

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