Battery charging method, diagnostic method, charger, diagnostic system, charging program and diagnostic program

Abstract

To provide a charging method of a battery, which can adjust a current value of a charging current to an appropriate magnitude in a case where an impedance of the battery is measured in parallel with charging of the battery.SOLUTION: In a charging method of a battery, at each of a first time point and a second time point after a time point at which a predetermined time is elapsed from the first time point, a superimposed current obtained by superimposing a current waveform that periodically changes at a predetermined frequency on a charging current is input to the battery, thereby measuring, concerning an impedance of the battery at the predetermined frequency, a first impedance at the first time point and a second impedance at the second time point. In the charging method, using a parameter indicating an increase state of the second impedance to the first impedance as an index, a current value of the charging current is adjusted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a battery charging method, a diagnosis method, a charger, a diagnosis system, a charging program, and a diagnosis program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, regarding batteries such as secondary batteries, the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery are measured, and based on the measurement results of the frequency characteristics of the impedance, the state of the battery including the deterioration state of the battery is diagnosed. In such a diagnosis, a current waveform in which the current value changes periodically, such as the current waveform of an alternating current, is input to the battery at each of a plurality of frequencies, and the impedance of the battery at each of the plurality of frequencies is measured, thereby measuring the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery. When measuring the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery as described above, it is required to measure the impedance of the battery in parallel with the charging of the battery. For this reason, the impedance of the battery is measured by inputting a superimposed current in which a periodically changing current waveform (the current waveform of an alternating current) is superimposed on the charging current to the battery.

[0003] When measuring the impedance of a battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery by inputting a superimposed current to the battery as described above, if the charging rate of the charging current is higher than the appropriate range, it becomes difficult for lithium to diffuse in at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and lithium tends to be unevenly distributed in at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode. Therefore, when measuring the impedance of the battery by the above-described superimposed current in a state where charging is performed at a charging rate higher than the appropriate range, in addition to the influence of the deterioration of the battery including the deterioration of the electrode active material, the influence of the uneven distribution of lithium in at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode is received by the measurement result of the impedance of the battery. On the other hand, when the impedance is measured by the superimposed current, if the charging rate of the charging current is lower than the appropriate range, the charging time of the battery becomes long. Therefore, when measuring the impedance of the battery in parallel with the charging of the battery, it is required to adjust the current value of the charging current to an appropriate magnitude.

Prior Art Documents

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2019-530189 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-106889 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a battery charging method, a charger, and a charging program that can adjust the current value of the charging current to an appropriate size when measuring the impedance of the battery in parallel with charging the battery. Furthermore, it aims to provide a battery diagnostic method that is executed while the charging method is being performed, a battery diagnostic system equipped with the charger, and a diagnostic program that is executed while the charging program is being performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In the battery charging method of the embodiment, at a first time point and at a second time point after a predetermined time has elapsed from the first time point, a superimposed current is input to the battery, which is obtained by superimposing a current waveform that periodically changes at a predetermined frequency onto the charging current. By doing so, the impedance of the battery at a predetermined frequency is measured as a first impedance at the first time point and a second impedance at the second time point. In the charging method, the current value of the charging current is adjusted using a parameter that indicates the increase in the second impedance relative to the first impedance as an indicator. When adjusting the charging current value, the current value is adjusted based on whether the indicator parameter is within a reference range that is above the lower limit and below the upper limit. If the indicator parameter is within the reference range, the charging current value is maintained; if the indicator parameter is greater than the upper limit of the reference range, the charging current value is decreased; and if the indicator parameter is less than the lower limit of the reference range, the charging current value is increased. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the relationship between the charge rate and the Warburg impedance of a battery to be diagnosed in an embodiment. [Figure 2]Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the frequency characteristics of the impedance of a battery to be diagnosed in the embodiment, as a complex impedance plot. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the change in impedance frequency characteristics caused by charging at a high charge rate for a battery to be diagnosed in this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a battery diagnostic system according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the current waveform input to the battery during the measurement of the first impedance of the battery according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process performed by the charger's control circuit when it executes a charging program in this embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process performed by the processing circuit of the diagnostic device when it executes a diagnostic program in this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0009] First, the batteries to be charged and diagnosed in the embodiments will be described. The batteries to be diagnosed and charged are secondary batteries such as lithium-ion secondary batteries. The battery may be formed from single cells (single cells), or it may be a battery module or cell block formed by electrically connecting a plurality of single cells. When the battery is formed from a plurality of single cells, the plurality of single cells may be electrically connected in series, or they may be electrically connected in parallel. In addition, the battery may have both a series connection structure in which a plurality of single cells are connected in series, and a parallel connection structure in which a plurality of single cells are connected in parallel. Furthermore, the battery may be a battery string, a battery array, or a storage battery in which a plurality of battery modules are electrically connected. Furthermore, in a battery module in which a plurality of single cells are electrically connected, each of the plurality of single cells may be a battery to be diagnosed and charged.

[0010] In the aforementioned type of battery, the battery charge (amount of charge) and State of Charge (SOC) are defined as parameters indicating the battery's charge state. The real-time battery charge is calculated based on the battery charge at a predetermined point in time and the time change of the current flowing through the battery from that predetermined point in time. For example, the real-time battery charge can be calculated by adding the time-integrated value of the current flowing through the battery from a predetermined point in time to the battery charge at that predetermined point in time.

[0011] In batteries, the voltage is defined by a lower voltage limit Vmin and an upper voltage limit Vmax. Furthermore, the State of Charge (SOC) value is defined as the battery's State of Charge (SOC). In a battery, the state where the voltage during discharge or charge under specified conditions reaches the lower voltage limit Vmin is defined as an SOC value of 0 (0%), and the state where the voltage during discharge or charge under specified conditions reaches the upper voltage limit Vmax is defined as an SOC value of 1 (100%). In addition, the battery capacity is defined as the charge capacity (amount of charge) until the SOC value goes from 0 to 1 during charging under specified conditions, or the discharge capacity (amount of charge) until the SOC value goes from 1 to 0 during discharging under specified conditions. The SOC of the battery is the ratio of the remaining charge (remaining capacity) until the SOC value reaches 0 to the battery capacity.

[0012] Furthermore, a battery is equipped with a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and the positive and negative electrodes have opposite polarities to each other. The positive electrode contains a positive electrode active material, and the negative electrode contains a negative electrode active material, as electrode active materials. In one example, the battery to be diagnosed is a lithium-ion secondary battery that charges and discharges by the movement of lithium ions between the positive and negative electrodes. In this case, the positive electrode contains one of the following as its positive electrode active material: lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide, lithium cobalt oxide, lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide, lithium iron phosphate, and lithium manganese oxide, and the negative electrode contains one of the following as its negative electrode active material: lithium titanate, titanium oxide, niobium titanium oxide, and carbon-based active material.

[0013] In batteries such as lithium-ion secondary batteries, when charged at a high charge rate, such as rapid charging, lithium becomes less likely to diffuse in at least one of the positive and negative electrodes, leading to uneven distribution of lithium. In other words, when a battery is charged at a high charge rate, the lithium concentration tends to become non-uniform in at least one of the positive and negative electrodes. For example, in batteries where a carbon-based active material is used as the negative electrode active material, uneven distribution of lithium tends to occur at least in the negative electrode when charged at a high charge rate. Similarly, in batteries where lithium titanate is used as the negative electrode active material, uneven distribution of lithium tends to occur at least in the positive electrode when charged at a high charge rate.

[0014] Furthermore, the impedance components of a battery include ohmic resistance, which includes resistance during the lithium transfer process in the electrolyte, charge transfer impedance of the positive and negative electrodes, impedance due to the film formed on the positive or negative electrode by reactions, etc., and the inductance component of the battery. In addition, the Warburg impedance of the positive and negative electrodes is included as the impedance during the diffusion process of ions such as lithium ions in the electrode active materials of the positive and negative electrodes. In both the positive and negative electrodes, the Warburg impedance is greater when lithium is unevenly distributed, as described above, compared to when lithium is not unevenly distributed.

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the relationship between the charge rate and the Warburg impedance of a battery being diagnosed in an embodiment. In Figure 1, the horizontal axis represents time relative to the start of charging, and the vertical axis represents the increase in Warburg impedance (sum of the Warburg impedances of the positive and negative electrodes) from the start of charging. In Figure 1, the time change in the increase in Warburg impedance when charging at charge rate η1 is shown by a solid line, and the time change in the increase in Warburg impedance when charging at a charge rate η2, which is higher than charge rate η1, is shown by a dashed line. In the example in Figure 1, conditions other than the charge rate, including the SOC value of each battery at the start and end of charging, are the same for charging at charge rates η1 and η2. Charge rate η1 is a low charge rate, for example, 1C. Charge rate η2 is a high charge rate, for example, 3C.

[0016] In slow charging at a charging rate η1, lithium is not unevenly distributed in either the positive or negative electrode. Therefore, even when the battery is charged, the Warburg impedance hardly increases from the start of charging until the end of charging. On the other hand, in rapid charging at a charging rate η2, lithium is unevenly distributed in at least one of the positive or negative electrode. Therefore, as the battery is charged, the Warburg impedance increases over time, and at the end of charging, the Warburg impedance has increased significantly from the start of charging. Thus, in rapid charging such as charging at a charging rate η2, the impedance of the battery is affected by the lithium uneven distribution in at least one of the positive or negative electrode.

[0017] Furthermore, in the embodiments, the impedance of the battery to be diagnosed and the battery to be charged is measured at each of several frequencies, and the frequency characteristics of the battery impedance are measured. The measurement of the frequency characteristics of the battery impedance is performed in parallel with the charging of the battery. For example, by inputting a superimposed current, which is obtained by superimposing a periodically changing current waveform (current waveform of AC current) on the charging current at each of several frequencies, the impedance of the battery at each of the several frequencies is measured.

[0018] The measurement results of the frequency characteristics of the impedance of a battery can be shown, for example, in a complex impedance plot (Cole-Cole plot) for the battery. In the complex impedance plot, the real component and the imaginary component of the impedance of the battery at each of a plurality of measured frequencies are shown. Also, in the complex impedance plot, the distance from the origin becomes the magnitude of the impedance (absolute value of the impedance). Note that a method of measuring the frequency characteristics of the impedance of a battery by inputting a current waveform whose current value changes periodically to the battery, a complex impedance plot, etc. are shown in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-106889) and the like.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the frequency characteristics of impedance in a complex impedance plot for a battery to be diagnosed in an embodiment. In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis represents the real component Zre of the impedance, and the vertical axis represents the imaginary component -Zim of the impedance. In FIG. 2, the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery in each of three states α1 to α3 are shown. The frequency characteristics of the impedance in state α1 are shown by a solid line, the frequency characteristics of the impedance in state α2 are shown by a broken line, and the frequency characteristics of the impedance in state α3 are shown by a one-dot chain line.

[0020] State α1 corresponds to the state immediately after the start of battery use and in which there is no uneven distribution of lithium in each of the positive and negative electrodes. State α2 corresponds to the state in which a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of battery use and in which there is no uneven distribution of lithium in each of the positive and negative electrodes. And state α3 corresponds to the state in which uneven distribution of lithium has occurred in at least one of the positive and negative electrodes due to rapid charging or the like during the same period as state α2. In each of states α2 and α3, it is a later period compared to state α1. For this reason, in each of states α2 and α3, the battery has deteriorated due to deterioration of the electrode active material and formation of a film on the positive or negative electrode, etc., compared to state α1. Note that other conditions such as temperature and SOC are the same for each other in states α1 to α3.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, in the battery to be diagnosed, when a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of use, due to deterioration of the battery including deterioration of the electrode active material and the like, the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery change. In an example of FIG. 2, due to deterioration of the battery, the frequency characteristics of the impedance in state α1 change to the frequency characteristics of the impedance in state α2.

[0022] Also, in the battery to be diagnosed, even if the deterioration state of the battery and the like are the same, when uneven distribution of lithium occurs in at least one of the positive and negative electrodes, the frequency characteristics of the impedance change. In an example of FIG. 2, due to uneven distribution of lithium in at least one of the positive and negative electrodes, the frequency characteristics of the impedance in state α2 change to the frequency characteristics of the impedance in state α3. In particular, when uneven distribution of lithium occurs in at least one of the positive and negative electrodes, the impedance in the low frequency range, that is, the impedance in the frequency range corresponding to the Warburg impedance, increases significantly compared to the state in which lithium is not unevenly distributed in each of the positive and negative electrodes.

[0023] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a change in the impedance frequency characteristics caused by charging at a high charge rate for a battery being diagnosed in an embodiment. In Figure 3, the horizontal axis represents frequency f, and the vertical axis represents the absolute value |Z| of the battery impedance. In Figure 3, the impedance frequency characteristics at time ta1, which is at or immediately after the start of charging, are shown by a solid line, and the impedance frequency characteristics at time tb, which is after time ta, are shown by a dashed line. As shown in Figure 3, after a certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of rapid charging at a high charge rate, lithium uneven distribution occurs in at least one of the positive and negative electrodes, and the impedance frequency characteristics of the battery change. In the example in Figure 3, the impedance frequency characteristics at time ta change to the impedance frequency characteristics at time tb due to rapid charging.

[0024] As mentioned above, the change in the frequency characteristics of the impedance causes a significant increase in the battery impedance in the low frequency range compared to the start of charging and immediately after the start of charging. In the example shown in Figure 3, rapid charging causes a lithium imbalance in at least one of the positive and negative electrodes, resulting in a significant increase in the battery impedance in at least the frequency range Δf0. The frequency range Δf0 in which the increase in battery impedance from the start of charging becomes significant includes the frequency range corresponding to the Warburg impedance, and in one example, the frequency range Δf0 corresponds to the frequency range between 0.005 Hz and 10 Hz.

[0025] The following describes a diagnostic system for diagnosing batteries as described above. In the diagnostic system of the embodiment, the frequency characteristics of the battery's impedance are measured in parallel with the battery's charging. Based on the measurement results of the frequency characteristics of the battery's impedance, the degradation state of the battery is determined and the battery is diagnosed. In determining the degradation state of the battery, for example, the impedance components of the battery, such as the Warburg impedance of the positive and negative electrodes, are calculated based on the measurement results of the frequency characteristics of the impedance. Based on the calculation results of the impedance components, the degradation state of the battery is determined.

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a diagnostic system 1 for a battery 6 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the diagnostic system 1 comprises a battery-mounted device 2, a charger 3, and a diagnostic device 5. The battery 6 is mounted in the battery-mounted device 2. Examples of battery-mounted devices 2 include large-scale energy storage devices for power grids, smartphones, vehicles, stationary power supply devices, robots, and drones. Examples of vehicles that can be used as battery-mounted devices 2 include railway cars, electric buses, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and electric motorcycles. Furthermore, in the battery 6, if lithium is unevenly distributed in at least one of the positive and negative electrodes due to rapid charging, the impedance of the battery tends to increase significantly in the low-frequency range.

[0027] Charger 3 supplies power to battery 6 during its charging. Therefore, during battery 6 charging, a charging current is input from charger 3 to battery 6. Charger 3 is equipped with a control circuit 10, a storage medium 11, and a communication module 12. In the example shown in Figure 4, charger 3 is also equipped with a drive circuit 13, a current detection circuit 15, and a voltage detection circuit 16. Control circuit 10 controls the supply of power to battery 6 and controls the charging of battery 6. Control circuit 10 is composed of a processor or integrated circuit, and the processor etc. that constitutes control circuit 10 includes any of the following: CPU (Central Processing Unit), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), microcontroller, FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Control circuit 10 may be composed of one processor etc. or may be composed of multiple processor etc.

[0028] The storage medium 11 is either a main memory device such as a memory chip, or an auxiliary memory device. Examples of storage mediums 11 include magnetic disks, optical disks (CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, etc.), magneto-optical disks (MO, etc.), and semiconductor memory. The charger 3 may be provided with only one memory chip or more storage mediums 11. In the charger 3, the control circuit 10 and the storage medium 11 constitute a processing unit such as a computer. The communication module 12 consists of the communication interface of the charger 3. The control circuit 10 communicates with an external processing unit of the charger 3, including the diagnostic device 5, via the communication module 12.

[0029] The control circuit 10 performs processing by executing programs stored in the storage medium 11. In the example shown in Figure 4, the storage medium 11 stores a data management program 17 and a charging program 18 as programs to be executed by the control circuit 10. The control circuit 10 writes data to the storage medium 11 and reads data from the storage medium 11 by executing the data management program 17. The control circuit 10 also performs the processing described later for charging the battery 6 by executing the charging program 18. The programs executed by the control circuit 10, including the data management program 17 and the charging program 18, may be stored on a computer (server) connected via a network such as the Internet, or on a server in a cloud environment. In this case, the control circuit 10 downloads the programs via the network. The control circuit 10 also performs processing based on commands received from an external source via the communication module 12.

[0030] The control circuit 10 controls the operation of the drive circuit 13 while the battery 6 is being charged by the charger 3, thereby controlling the current input to the battery 6, including the charging current. In the example shown in Figure 4, AC power from the commercial power supply 7 is input to the drive circuit 13 of the charger 3. The drive circuit 13 is equipped with, for example, an AC / DC converter and a transformer circuit. The drive circuit 13 converts the AC power from the commercial power supply 7 to DC power using the AC / DC converter and other components, and transforms the voltage of the power supplied from the commercial power supply 7 to a voltage corresponding to the battery 6 using the transformer circuit and other components. As a result, DC power at a voltage corresponding to the battery 6 is supplied to the battery 6, and a charging current is input to the battery 6.

[0031] Furthermore, the drive circuit 13 is provided with a current value adjustment circuit that adjusts the current value of the charging current to the battery 6. The control circuit 10 adjusts the current value of the charging current by controlling the drive of the current value adjustment circuit. In this way, the control circuit 10 makes adjustments such as increasing or decreasing the current value of the charging current to the battery 6, and maintaining the current value of the charging current to the battery 6. The drive circuit 13 is also provided with a current waveform generation circuit. The current waveform generation circuit generates a current waveform of a periodically changing alternating current. The control circuit 10 adjusts the frequency of the generated current waveform by controlling the drive of the current waveform generation circuit.

[0032] Furthermore, the drive circuit 13 can input a superimposed current to the battery 6, which is the charging current of the battery 6 superimposed with a current waveform generated by the current waveform generation circuit. The current value of the superimposed current changes periodically around the current value of the charging current, according to the frequency of the superimposed current waveform. The superimposed current is a DC current whose direction of flow does not change. The control circuit 10 controls the drive of the drive circuit 13, switching between a state in which a charging current without a superimposed current waveform is input to the battery 6 and a state in which a superimposed current, in which a periodically changing current waveform is superimposed on the charging current, is input to the battery 6.

[0033] The current detection circuit 15 and the voltage detection circuit 16 constitute a measurement unit 8 that detects and measures parameters related to the battery 6. The measurement unit 8 periodically measures parameters related to the battery 6, such as when the battery 6 is being charged. In the measurement unit 8, the current detection circuit 15 periodically detects and measures the current flowing through the battery 6, and the voltage detection circuit 16 periodically detects and measures the voltage applied to the battery 6 as parameters related to the battery 6. In one example, the measurement unit 8 includes a temperature sensor (not shown) in addition to the current detection circuit 15 and the voltage detection circuit 16. In this case, the temperature sensor periodically detects and measures the temperature of the battery 6 as a parameter related to the battery 6.

[0034] While the battery 6 is being charged by the charger 3, the control circuit 10 acquires measurement data, including the measurement results of the aforementioned parameters related to the battery 6 from the measurement unit 8, via signals from the measurement unit 8. The control circuit 10 acquires measurement data for parameters related to the battery 6, including the current and voltage of the battery 6, at each of multiple measurement points, including measured values ​​and time changes (time history). For this reason, the control circuit 10 acquires the time changes (time history) of the current of the battery 6 and the time changes (time history) of the voltage of the battery 6, and in one example, it may also acquire the time changes (time history) of the temperature of the battery 6. Based on the measurement data for the parameters related to the battery 6, the control circuit 10 controls the drive circuit 13 and controls the current and other parameters input to the battery 6.

[0035] In the example shown in Figure 4, the measurement unit 8 is provided on the charger 3, but the measurement unit 8, including the current detection circuit 15 and the voltage detection circuit 16, may also be provided on the battery-equipped device 2. Furthermore, the battery-equipped device 2 may have a charging function that charges the battery in the same manner as the charger 3. In this case, the processing described later by the control circuit 10 of the charger 3 is performed by the processor or integrated circuit of the battery-equipped device 2.

[0036] In this embodiment, the control circuit 10 performs the following processing when charging the battery 6 by executing the charging program 18. Specifically, the control circuit 10 controls the drive of the drive circuit 13 to input a charging current to the battery 6 and start charging the battery 6. Then, at a first time point, which is the start of charging or a time point immediately after the start of charging, the control circuit 10 measures the impedance of the battery 6 at a predetermined frequency F0. The impedance of the battery 6 at the predetermined frequency F0 measured at the first time point will be referred to as the "first impedance" in the following description.

[0037] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a current waveform input to the battery 6 during the measurement of the first impedance of the battery 6 according to the embodiment. In Figure 5, the horizontal axis represents time t, and the vertical axis represents current I. In the example in Figure 5, in the drive circuit 13, a current waveform of an alternating current that changes periodically at a predetermined frequency F0 is superimposed on the charging current Ia0(t), thereby generating a superimposed current Ia(t), which is then input to the battery 6. In the superimposed current Ia(t) input to the battery 6, the current value changes periodically around the current value Ia0 of the charging current. Furthermore, the superimposed current Ia(t) is a direct current whose direction of flow does not change. When a superimposed current Ia(t), such as in the example in Figure 5, is input to the battery 6, the first impedance is measured in parallel with the charging of the battery 6.

[0038] Furthermore, the superimposed current Ia(t) input to the battery 6 during the first impedance measurement changes periodically at a predetermined frequency F0. Therefore, one period of the superimposed current Ia(t) is the reciprocal of the predetermined frequency F0 (1 / F0). Although the current waveform of the superimposed current Ia(t) in Figure 5 is a sine wave, the current waveform of the superimposed current input to the battery 6 may be a current waveform other than a sine wave, such as a triangular wave or a sawtooth wave.

[0039] The measurement unit 8 measures the current and voltage of the battery 6 using the current detection circuit 15 and the voltage detection circuit 16, respectively, when a superimposed current that periodically changes in current value at a predetermined frequency F0 is input to the battery 6 as described above. The control circuit 10 then acquires measurement data showing the measurement results of the current and voltage of the battery 6 when a superimposed current of the predetermined frequency F0 is input to the battery 6. Based on the measurement data when a superimposed current of the predetermined frequency F0 is input to the battery 6, the control circuit 10 calculates a first impedance as the impedance of the battery 6 at the predetermined frequency F0 at a first time point.

[0040] In one example, the control circuit 10 calculates the peak-to-peak value (range of fluctuation) in the periodic change of the current in the battery 6 based on the time change of the current in the battery 6, and calculates the peak-to-peak value (range of fluctuation) in the periodic change of the voltage in the battery 6 based on the time change of the voltage in the battery 6. Then, the processing circuit 20 calculates the first impedance of the battery 6 from the ratio of the peak-to-peak value of the voltage to the peak-to-peak value of the current.

[0041] Here, the first time point is, as mentioned above, the start of charging of battery 6 or immediately after the start of charging. Furthermore, the first time point is before 10 seconds have elapsed from the start of battery charging. Also, the predetermined frequency F0 is a relatively low frequency and is one of the frequencies in the frequency range corresponding to the Warburg impedance. Therefore, the predetermined frequency F0 is included in the frequency range in which the increase in the impedance of battery 6 becomes significant due to the uneven distribution of lithium in at least one of the positive and negative electrodes. For this reason, in one example, the predetermined frequency F0 is 10 Hz or less.

[0042] Furthermore, when measuring the first impedance by inputting a superimposed current, it is necessary to suppress changes in the state of battery 6, such as the state of charge (SOC), during the measurement of the first impedance. From this viewpoint, it is necessary to shorten the period of the superimposed current to such an extent that the state of battery 6 does not change during the measurement of the first impedance. For this reason, in one example, the predetermined frequency F0 will be 0.005 Hz or higher. Therefore, it is preferable that the predetermined frequency F0, which is the frequency of the superimposed current, is a frequency within the frequency range of 0.05 Hz or higher and 10 Hz or lower.

[0043] As described above, once the first impedance of the battery 6 is measured, the control circuit 10 measures the impedance of the battery 6 at a predetermined frequency F0 at a second time point, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the first time point. The impedance of the battery 6 at the predetermined frequency F0 measured at the second time point will be referred to as the "second impedance" in the following explanation. In measuring the second impedance, as in measuring the first impedance, the control circuit 10 controls the drive of the drive circuit 13 to input a superimposed current to the battery 6, which is an alternating current that changes periodically at a predetermined frequency F0 superimposed on the charging current. For example, the superimposed current Ia(t) shown in Figure 5 is input to the battery 6.

[0044] Furthermore, the control circuit 10 calculates the second impedance as the impedance of the battery 6 at the predetermined frequency F0 at the second time point, based on the measurement data when a superimposed current of a predetermined frequency F0 is input to the battery 6, in the same manner as the measurement of the first impedance. It is preferable that the predetermined time from the first time point described above is 10 seconds or more and 360 seconds or less. Also, during the period from the measurement of the first impedance to the measurement of the second impedance, the charging current is continuously input to the battery 6 and the battery 6 is continuously charged. Between the first time point and the second time point, a charging current without superimposed AC current may be input to the battery 6, or a superimposed current in which AC current is superimposed on the charging current may be input to the battery 6.

[0045] As described above, when the first impedance at the first time point and the second impedance at the second time point are measured, the control circuit 10 executes the charging program 18 to calculate a parameter that indicates the increase in the second impedance relative to the first impedance, as an index. In one example, either the rate of increase β of the second impedance relative to the first impedance, or the amount of increase of the second impedance relative to the first impedance, is calculated as the index.

[0046] The growth rate β is calculated using the first impedance Z1 and the second impedance Z2 as shown in equation (1). The increase corresponds to the value obtained by subtracting the first impedance (absolute value of the first impedance) from the second impedance (absolute value of the second impedance). Furthermore, parameters indicating the increase in the second impedance relative to the first impedance, such as the growth rate β, will be negative if the second impedance is decreasing relative to the first impedance.

[0047]

number

[0048] The control circuit 10 adjusts the charging current value based on the calculation results of indicator parameters such as the growth rate β. That is, the charging current value is adjusted using a parameter that indicates the increase state of the second impedance relative to the first impedance as an indicator. In this case, a reference range is defined for the indicator parameter that is greater than or equal to a lower limit and less than or equal to an upper limit. In one example, the growth rate β of the second impedance relative to the first impedance is calculated as the indicator, and a reference range is defined for the growth rate β that is greater than or equal to a lower limit βl and less than or equal to an upper limit βu.

[0049] The control circuit 10 adjusts the charging current value based on whether the indicator parameter is within the aforementioned reference range. If the indicator parameter is within the reference range, the control circuit 10 maintains the charging current value. If the indicator parameter is greater than the upper limit of the reference range, the control circuit 10 decreases the charging current value, and if the indicator parameter is less than the lower limit of the reference range, the charging current value increases. In one example, the aforementioned increase rate β is calculated as the indicator. If the increase rate β is greater than or equal to the lower limit βl and less than or equal to the upper limit βu, the charging current value is maintained. If the increase rate β is less than the lower limit βl, the charging current value is increased, and if the increase rate β is greater than the upper limit βu, the charging current value is decreased.

[0050] After the second time point, the control circuit 10 inputs a charging current to the battery 6 at a current value adjusted as described above based on parameters indicating the increase state of the second impedance relative to the first impedance, such as the increase rate β. The control circuit 10 then continues charging the battery 6 until the termination condition for ending charging is met.

[0051] In one example, the control circuit 10 measures the impedance of the battery 6 at a predetermined frequency F0 at a third time point, which is after the second time point. The impedance of the battery 6 at the predetermined frequency F0 measured at the third time point will be referred to as the "third impedance" in the following explanation. In measuring the third impedance, the superimposed current described above is input to the battery 6, similar to the measurements of the first and second impedances. The control circuit 10 then calculates an index parameter that indicates the increase in the third impedance relative to the first impedance, such as the rate of increase of the third impedance relative to the first impedance. In this case, the index parameter is calculated in the same manner as the parameter that indicates the increase in the second impedance relative to the first impedance.

[0052] The control circuit 10 then adjusts the charging current value based on whether the parameter indicating the increase state of the third impedance relative to the first impedance, that is, the parameter calculated as an index, is within the reference range. In this case, the charging current value is adjusted in the same manner as the adjustment of the charging current value based on the parameter indicating the increase state of the second impedance relative to the first impedance, such as the increase rate β mentioned above. Furthermore, even after the third time point, the control circuit 10 may adjust the charging current value based on the increase state of the impedance of the battery 6 at a predetermined frequency F0 relative to the first impedance. In this case, the charging current value is adjusted in the same manner as the adjustment of the charging current value based on the parameter indicating the increase state of the second impedance relative to the first impedance, such as the increase rate β mentioned above.

[0053] The diagnostic device 5 diagnoses the condition of the battery 6, including its degradation state. In an example such as Figure 4, the diagnostic device 5 is a processing unit (computer) such as a server, located outside the battery-equipped device 2 and the charger 3, and can communicate with the charger 3 via a network. The diagnostic device 5 includes a processing circuit 20, a storage medium 21, a communication module 22, and a user interface 23. The processing circuit 20 is composed of a processor or integrated circuit, and the processor etc. constituting the processing circuit 20 includes any of the following: CPU, ASIC, microcontroller, FPGA, and DSP. The processing circuit 20 may be composed of one processor etc. or multiple processors etc. The storage medium 21 is either a main memory such as memory or an auxiliary storage device. The diagnostic device 5 may be provided with only one memory etc. that serves as the storage medium 21, or it may be provided with multiple memory etc.

[0054] The processing circuit 20 performs processing by executing programs stored in the storage medium 21. In the example shown in Figure 4, the storage medium 21 stores a data management program 25 and a diagnostic program 26 as programs to be executed by the processing circuit 20. The processing circuit 20 writes data to the storage medium 21 and reads data from the storage medium 21 by executing the data management program 25. The processing circuit 20 also performs the processing described later in the diagnosis of the battery 6 by executing the diagnostic program 26.

[0055] In one example, the diagnostic device 5 is composed of multiple processing units (computers), such as multiple servers, and the processors of the multiple processing units cooperate to perform the processing described later in diagnosing the battery 6. In another example, the diagnostic device 5 is composed of a cloud server in a cloud environment. The infrastructure of the cloud environment is composed of virtual processors such as virtual CPUs and cloud memory. Therefore, when the diagnostic device 5 is composed of a cloud server, the virtual processor performs the processing described later in diagnosing the battery 6 in place of the processing circuit 20. The cloud memory has the function of storing programs and data, similar to the storage medium 21.

[0056] In one example, the program executed by the processing circuit 20 and the storage medium 21 that stores the data used for processing by the processing circuit 20 are located in a separate computer from the charger 3 and the diagnostic device 5. In this case, the diagnostic device 5 is connected to the computer where the storage medium 21 is located via a network. In another example, the diagnostic device 5 is mounted on the battery-equipped device 2 or the charger 3. In this case, the processor etc. mounted on the battery-equipped device 2 or the charger 3 in the diagnostic device 5 performs the processing described later in diagnosing the battery 6 instead of the processing circuit 20.

[0057] The communication module 22 consists of a communication interface and the like for the processing unit that constitutes the diagnostic device 5. The processing circuit 20 communicates with external devices of the diagnostic device 5, including the charger 3, via the communication module 22. The user interface 23 receives input from users of the diagnostic device 5 and the diagnostic system 1 regarding operations related to the diagnosis of the battery 6. For this reason, the user interface 23 is provided with an operation unit that receives input from users, such as a button, mouse, touch panel, and keyboard. The user interface 23 is also provided with a notification unit that provides information related to the diagnosis of the battery 6. The notification unit provides information through either a screen display or sound emission. The user interface 23 may be provided separately from the processing unit that constitutes the diagnostic device 5.

[0058] The processing circuit 20 diagnoses the battery 6 to be diagnosed by executing the diagnostic program 26. During the diagnosis of the battery 6, while the battery 6 is being charged with a charging current whose current value has been adjusted by the control circuit 10 as described above, the processing circuit 20 measures the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery 6. At this time, the processing circuit 20 sends a command to the charger 3 via the communication module 22, and the control circuit 10 receives the command from the diagnostic device 5 via the communication module 12. The control circuit 10 then superimposes a current waveform of a periodically changing AC current at multiple frequencies onto the charging current whose current value has been adjusted, and sequentially inputs the superimposed currents of multiple frequencies into the battery 6.

[0059] The control circuit 10 measures the current and voltage of the battery 6 when superimposed currents are input at each of the multiple frequencies, and transmits the measurement data showing the measurement results to the diagnostic device 5 via the communication module 12. The processing circuit 20 then calculates the impedance at each of the multiple frequencies based on the measurement data received from the charger 3 via the communication module 22. At this time, the impedance is calculated in the same manner as the first impedance and the second impedance, etc. The processing circuit 20 then calculates the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery 6 by calculating the impedance of the battery 6 at each of the multiple frequencies.

[0060] In one example, when charging is performed at a current value where a parameter indicating the increase state of the second impedance relative to the first impedance, such as the growth rate β, is within a reference range, the current waveform of the AC current is superimposed on the charging current, and the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery 6 are measured as described above. For example, after the control circuit 10 maintains the current value of the charging current based on the fact that an index such as the growth rate β is within a reference range, and the battery 6 is being charged with the maintained current value, the processing circuit 20 sequentially superimposes current waveforms at multiple frequencies onto the charging current and measures the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery 6.

[0061] Furthermore, the processing circuit 20 executes the diagnostic program 26 to determine the degradation state of the battery 6 based on the measurement results of the frequency characteristics of the battery's impedance. At this time, the impedance components of the battery 6, including the Warburg impedance of the positive and negative electrodes, are calculated based on the measurement results of the frequency characteristics of the impedance. In one example, the ohmic resistance and the charge transfer resistance of the positive and negative electrodes are calculated as impedance components of the battery 6.

[0062] The storage medium 21 stores an equivalent circuit model containing information about the equivalent circuit of the battery 6. In the equivalent circuit of the equivalent circuit model, several electrical characteristic parameters (circuit constants) corresponding to the impedance components of the battery 6 are set. Electrical characteristic parameters are parameters that indicate the electrical characteristics of the circuit elements provided in the equivalent circuit. Examples of electrical characteristic parameters include resistance, capacitance, inductance, and impedance. Resistance shown as an electrical characteristic parameter in the equivalent circuit may include, for example, ohmic resistance and charge transfer resistance of the positive and negative electrodes. In addition, Warburg impedance of the positive and negative electrodes may be included as electrical characteristic parameters set in the equivalent circuit.

[0063] Furthermore, the equivalent circuit model stored in the storage medium 21 includes data showing the relationship between the electrical characteristic parameters of the equivalent circuit and the impedance of the battery 6. The data showing the relationship between the electrical characteristic parameters and the impedance of the battery 6 includes, for example, calculation formulas for calculating the real and imaginary components of the impedance from the electrical characteristic parameters (circuit constants). In this case, the calculation formula uses the electrical characteristic parameters and frequency to calculate the real and imaginary components of the impedance of the battery 6.

[0064] The processing circuit 20 performs a fitting calculation using the equivalent circuit model, which includes the equivalent circuit described above, and the measurement results for the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery 6. In this process, the electrical characteristic parameters of the equivalent circuit, which includes the resistance component of the battery 6, are used as variables in the fitting calculation, and these variable electrical characteristic parameters are calculated. Furthermore, in the fitting calculation, for example, the values ​​of the variable electrical characteristic parameters are determined such that the difference between the impedance calculation result using the calculation formula included in the equivalent circuit model and the impedance measurement result is minimized for each frequency at which the impedance is measured.

[0065] As described above, the fitting calculation allows for the calculation of impedance components, such as resistance, which are set as one of the electrical characteristic parameters in the equivalent circuit. The equivalent circuit of a battery is shown in Patent Document 2. Furthermore, the measurement results of the frequency characteristics of the impedance of a battery, and a method for calculating the electrical characteristic parameters (circuit constants) of the equivalent circuit by performing a fitting calculation using the equivalent circuit model of the battery are also shown in Patent Document 2.

[0066] The processing circuit 20 determines the degradation state of the battery 6 based on the results of resistance component calculations performed by fitting calculations, etc. In one example, the processing circuit 20 calculates the charge transfer resistance of the positive and negative electrodes based on measurement results of the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery 6. Then, the processing circuit 20 determines the degree of degradation of the positive electrode based on the degree of change in the charge transfer resistance of the positive electrode since the start of use of the battery 6, and determines the degree of degradation of the negative electrode based on the degree of change in the charge transfer resistance of the negative electrode since the start of use of the battery 6.

[0067] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart illustrating an example of the process performed by the control circuit 10 of the charger 3 when it executes the charging program 18 in this embodiment. Figure 6 shows the process for charging the battery 6, and the process in Figure 6 is performed each time the battery 6 is charged. When the process in Figure 6 is started, the control circuit 10 inputs a charging current to the battery 6 and starts charging the battery 6 (S101). The control circuit 10 then measures the impedance of the battery 6 at a predetermined frequency F0 at a first time point, which is either the start of battery charging or a time point immediately after the start of charging. At this time, the control circuit 10 inputs the aforementioned superimposed current to the battery 6 at the predetermined frequency F0, and measures a first impedance as the impedance of the battery 6 at the predetermined frequency F0 at the first time point (S102). The control circuit 10 then waits until a predetermined time has elapsed from the first time point (S103-No).

[0068] When a predetermined time has elapsed from the first time point (S103-Yes), the control circuit 10 measures the impedance of the battery 6 at a predetermined frequency F0 for a second time point, which is after the predetermined time has elapsed from the first time point. At this time, the control circuit 10 inputs the aforementioned superimposed current to the battery 6 at the predetermined frequency F0, thereby measuring the second impedance as the impedance of the battery 6 at the predetermined frequency F0 at the second time point (S104). The control circuit 10 then calculates a parameter as an index that indicates the increase in the second impedance relative to the first impedance (S105). At this time, for example, the rate of increase β of the second impedance relative to the first impedance is calculated.

[0069] The control circuit 10 then determines whether the calculated index is within the reference range between the lower limit and the upper limit (S106). If the index, such as the growth rate β, is within the reference range (S106-Yes), the control circuit 10 maintains the charging current value at the real-time current value (S107). On the other hand, if the index is outside the reference range (S106-No), the control circuit 10 determines whether the index is less than the lower limit of the reference range (S108). If the index is less than the lower limit (S108-Yes), the control circuit 10 increases the charging current value from the real-time current value (S109). On the other hand, if the index is greater than the upper limit (S108-No), the control circuit 10 decreases the charging current value from the real-time current value (S110).

[0070] Then, unless the charging termination condition is met (S111-No), the control circuit 10 continues to charge the battery 6 with the current value adjusted in any one of S107, S109, and S110. If the charging termination condition is met (S111-Yes), the control circuit 10 stops inputting the charging current to the battery 6 and terminates the charging.

[0071] In one example, the control circuit 10 measures the impedance of the battery 6 at a predetermined frequency F0 even after the second time point. The control circuit 10 then calculates a parameter indicating the increase in the impedance of the battery 6 at the predetermined frequency F0 measured after the second time point, relative to the first impedance at the first time point. The control circuit then adjusts the charging current value by performing the same processing as in the example S106-S110 in Figure 6, using the calculated parameter as an indicator.

[0072] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing performed by the processing circuit 20 of the diagnostic device 5 when it executes the diagnostic program 26 in this embodiment. Figure 7 shows the processing performed during the diagnosis of the battery 6, and this processing is performed each time the battery 6 is diagnosed. When the processing in Figure 7 is started, the processing circuit 20 sends a command to the control circuit 10 of the charger 3, etc., to charge the battery 6 with a current value at which an index, a parameter indicating the increase in the second impedance relative to the first impedance, has reached a reference range (S121). Then, the processing circuit 20 sends a command to the control circuit 10 of the charger 3, etc., to superimpose current waveforms of AC currents at multiple frequencies onto the charging current (S122). As a result, superimposed currents of multiple frequencies are sequentially input to the battery 6.

[0073] The processing circuit 20 then inputs superimposed currents to the battery 6 at each of the multiple frequencies, calculates the impedance of the battery 6 at each of the multiple frequencies, and calculates the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery 6 (S123). In one example, in S107 of the example in Figure 6, after the control circuit 10 maintains the current value of the charging current based on the index being within the reference range, and while the battery 6 is being charged with the maintained current value, the processing circuit 20 sequentially superimposes current waveforms at multiple frequencies onto the charging current and measures the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery 6. Then, based on the measurement results of the impedance frequency characteristics, the processing circuit 20 determines the degradation state of the battery 6 as described above (S124).

[0074] As described above, in this embodiment, at a first time point and at a second time point after a predetermined time has elapsed from the first time point, a superimposed current, in which a current waveform that periodically changes at a predetermined frequency F0 is superimposed on the charging current, is input to the battery 6. By inputting the aforementioned superimposed current to the battery 6, the impedance of the battery 6 at the predetermined frequency F0 is measured, specifically the first impedance at the first time point and the second impedance at the second time point. Then, the current value of the charging current is adjusted using a parameter that indicates the increase in the second impedance relative to the first impedance as an indicator.

[0075] Here, with high-rate charging, after a certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of charging, as described above, lithium uneven distribution occurs in at least one of the positive and negative electrodes, increasing the impedance of the battery 6. Therefore, by adjusting the charging current value using a parameter that indicates the increase in the second impedance relative to the first impedance as an indicator, it becomes possible to adjust the charging current value to a state in which lithium uneven distribution does not occur in either the positive or negative electrode. Furthermore, it becomes possible to adjust the charging current value to a state in which the current value is as large as possible while preventing lithium uneven distribution in either the positive or negative electrode.

[0076] In this embodiment, since the charging current value is adjusted as described above, when measuring the battery impedance in parallel with charging the battery, the charging current value can be adjusted to an appropriate size. That is, the size of the charging current can be adjusted to a size that prevents lithium uneven distribution at the positive and negative electrodes and suppresses prolonged charging.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, while the battery 6 is being charged with a charging current adjusted to an appropriate magnitude as described above, the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery 6 are measured by superimposing a periodically changing current waveform onto the charging current. Therefore, the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery 6 are measured when there is little to no uneven distribution of lithium in the positive and negative electrodes. In other words, the measurement results for the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery 6 are affected by the degradation of the battery, including the degradation of the electrode active material, but are hardly affected by the uneven distribution of lithium in the positive and negative electrodes. Consequently, by diagnosing the degradation state of the battery 6 based on the measurement results for the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery 6, the degradation state of the battery 6, including the degradation state of the electrode active material, can be determined more appropriately.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the charging current value is adjusted based on whether an indicator parameter such as the growth rate β is within a reference range. For example, if the indicator is within the reference range, the charging current value is maintained. If the indicator is less than the lower limit of the reference range, the charging current value is increased, and if the indicator is greater than the upper limit of the reference range, the charging current value is decreased. As described above, the charging current value is adjusted appropriately so that the current value is as large as possible without causing an uneven distribution of lithium at the positive and negative electrodes.

[0079] In this embodiment, a superimposed current is input to the battery 6 at a predetermined frequency F0, which is any frequency within the frequency range of 0.005 Hz or higher and 10 Hz or lower, and the impedance of the battery 6 at the predetermined frequency F0 is measured. In this embodiment, the first impedance is measured at a first point in time, which is defined as the start of charging of the battery 6 or a point in time immediately after the start of charging. Therefore, based on a parameter indicating the increase in the second impedance relative to the first impedance, it becomes possible to appropriately determine whether or not lithium is unevenly distributed at either the positive or negative electrode during real-time charging. As a result, the current value of the charging current is appropriately adjusted so that lithium is not unevenly distributed at either the positive or negative electrode.

[0080] In at least one embodiment or example described above, the impedance of the battery at a predetermined frequency is measured, specifically the first impedance at a first time point and the second impedance at a second time point after a predetermined time has elapsed from the first time point. The current value of the charging current is then adjusted using a parameter indicating the increase in the second impedance relative to the first impedance as an indicator. This makes it possible to provide a battery charging method, charger, and charging program that can adjust the current value of the charging current to an appropriate size when measuring the battery impedance in parallel with charging the battery. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a battery diagnostic method that is executed while the charging method is running, a battery diagnostic system equipped with the charger, and a diagnostic program that is executed while the charging program is running.

[0081] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. The following are additional notes. [1] At a first time point and at a second time point after a predetermined time has elapsed from the first time point, a superimposed current is input to the battery, which is obtained by superimposing a current waveform that changes periodically at a predetermined frequency onto the charging current, thereby measuring the impedance of the battery at the predetermined frequency, specifically the first impedance at the first time point and the second impedance at the second time point. The current value of the charging current is adjusted using a parameter that indicates the increase in the second impedance relative to the first impedance as an indicator. A method for charging a battery that includes the following features. [2] The charging method of [1], wherein the current value of the charging current is adjusted based on whether the indicator parameter is within a reference range that is greater than or equal to a lower limit and less than or equal to an upper limit. [3] In adjusting the current value of the charging current, If the parameter that serves as the indicator is within the reference range, the current value of the charging current is maintained. If the parameter that serves as the indicator is greater than the upper limit of the reference range, the current value of the charging current is reduced. If the parameter that serves as the indicator is smaller than the lower limit of the reference range, the current value of the charging current is increased. [2] How to charge it. [4] The charging method of [1], wherein in the measurement of the first impedance and the second impedance, the superimposed current is input to the battery with a frequency in the frequency range of 0.005 Hz or higher and 10 Hz or lower set as the predetermined frequency. [5] The charging method of [1], wherein, in adjusting the current value of the charging current, the current value of the charging current is adjusted using either the rate of increase of the second impedance relative to the first impedance or the amount of increase of the second impedance relative to the first impedance as the indicator. [6] The charging method of [1], wherein, in measuring the first impedance, the first time is defined as the start time of charging the battery or a time immediately after the start time, and the first impedance is measured. In a state in which the battery is being charged with the charging current, whose current value has been adjusted by any one of the charging methods [7][1] to [6], the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery are measured by superimposing a periodically changing current waveform onto the charging current, Based on the measurement results regarding the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery, the degradation state of the battery is determined. A battery diagnostic method comprising the following features. [8] At a first time point and at a second time point after a predetermined time has elapsed from the first time point, a superimposed current is input to the battery, which is a current waveform that changes periodically at a predetermined frequency superimposed on the charging current, thereby measuring the impedance of the battery at the predetermined frequency, the first impedance at the first time point and the second impedance at the second time point. The current value of the charging current is adjusted using a parameter that indicates the increase in the second impedance relative to the first impedance as an indicator. A battery charger equipped with a processor. Charger [9][8] and The battery to which the charging current is supplied by the charger, A diagnostic device for diagnosing the aforementioned battery, A battery diagnostic system equipped with the following features.

[10] The diagnostic device measures the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery by superimposing a periodically changing current waveform onto the charging current while the battery is being charged with the charging current whose current value has been adjusted. The diagnostic device determines the degradation state of the battery based on the measurement results of the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery. [9] A diagnostic system.

[11] Computers, At a first time point and at a second time point after a predetermined time has elapsed from the first time point, a superimposed current is input to the battery, which is a current waveform that periodically changes at a predetermined frequency superimposed on the charging current. By doing so, the impedance of the battery at the predetermined frequency is measured as follows: the first impedance at the first time point and the second impedance at the second time point. The current value of the charging current is adjusted using a parameter that indicates the increase in the second impedance relative to the first impedance as an indicator. Battery charging program.

[12] To the computer,

[11] While the battery is being charged with the charging current, whose current value has been adjusted by the execution of the charging program, the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery are measured by superimposing a periodically changing current waveform onto the charging current. Based on the measurement results regarding the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery, the deterioration state of the battery is determined. Battery diagnostic program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1...Diagnostic system, 2...Battery-equipped device, 3...Charger, 5...Diagnostic device, 6...Battery, 8...Measurement unit, 10...Control circuit, 11...Storage medium, 13...Drive circuit, 18...Charging program, 20...Processing circuit, 21...Storage medium, 26...Diagnostic program, F0...Predetermined frequency, β...Increase rate, βl...Lower limit, βu...Upper limit.

Claims

1. At a first time point and at a second time point after a predetermined time has elapsed from the first time point, a superimposed current is input to the battery, which is obtained by superimposing a current waveform that periodically changes at a predetermined frequency onto the charging current. This allows for the measurement of the impedance of the battery at the predetermined frequency, specifically the first impedance at the first time point and the second impedance at the second time point. The current value of the charging current is adjusted using a parameter that indicates the increase in the second impedance relative to the first impedance as an indicator. It is equipped with, In adjusting the current value of the charging current, Based on whether the parameter that serves as the indicator is within a reference range that is above the lower limit and below the upper limit, the current value is adjusted. If the parameter that serves as the indicator is within the reference range, the current value of the charging current is maintained. If the parameter that serves as the indicator is greater than the upper limit of the reference range, the current value of the charging current is reduced. If the parameter that serves as the indicator is smaller than the lower limit of the reference range, the current value of the charging current is increased. Charging method.

2. The charging method according to claim 1, wherein in the measurement of the first impedance and the second impedance, the superimposed current is input to the battery with a frequency in the frequency range of 0.005 Hz or higher and 10 Hz or lower set as the predetermined frequency.

3. The charging method according to claim 1, wherein, in adjusting the current value of the charging current, the current value of the charging current is adjusted using either the rate of increase of the second impedance relative to the first impedance, or the amount of increase of the second impedance relative to the first impedance, as the indicator.

4. The charging method according to claim 1, wherein, in measuring the first impedance, the first impedance is measured with the start time of charging the battery or a time immediately after the start time as the first time.

5. In a state in which the battery is being charged with the charging current whose current value has been adjusted by the charging method of any one of claims 1 to 4, the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery are measured by superimposing a periodically changing current waveform onto the charging current, Based on the measurement results regarding the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery, the degradation state of the battery is determined. A battery diagnostic method comprising the following features.

6. At a first time point and at a second time point after a predetermined time has elapsed from the first time point, a superimposed current is input to the battery, which is a current waveform that periodically changes at a predetermined frequency superimposed on the charging current. By doing so, the impedance of the battery at the predetermined frequency is measured as follows: the first impedance at the first time point and the second impedance at the second time point. The current value of the charging current is adjusted using a parameter that indicates the increase in the second impedance relative to the first impedance as an indicator. Equipped with a processor, The processor, in adjusting the current value of the charging current, Based on whether the parameter that serves as the indicator is within a reference range that is above the lower limit and below the upper limit, the current value is adjusted. If the parameter that serves as the indicator is within the reference range, the current value of the charging current is maintained. If the parameter that serves as the indicator is greater than the upper limit of the reference range, the current value of the charging current is reduced. If the parameter that serves as the indicator is smaller than the lower limit of the reference range, the current value of the charging current is increased. Battery charger.

7. The charger according to claim 6, The battery to which the charging current is supplied by the charger, A diagnostic device for diagnosing the aforementioned battery, A battery diagnostic system equipped with the following features.

8. The diagnostic device, while charging the battery with the adjusted charging current, measures the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery by superimposing a periodically changing current waveform onto the charging current. The diagnostic device determines the degradation state of the battery based on the measurement results of the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery. The diagnostic system according to claim 7.

9. On the computer, At a first time point and at a second time point after a predetermined time has elapsed from the first time point, a superimposed current is input to the battery, which is a current waveform that periodically changes at a predetermined frequency superimposed on the charging current. By doing so, the impedance of the battery at the predetermined frequency is measured as follows: the first impedance at the first time point and the second impedance at the second time point. The current value of the charging current is adjusted using a parameter that indicates the increase in the second impedance relative to the first impedance as an indicator. In adjusting the current value of the charging current, Based on whether the parameter that serves as the indicator is within a reference range that is above the lower limit and below the upper limit, the current value is adjusted. If the parameter that serves as the indicator is within the reference range, the current value of the charging current is maintained. If the parameter that serves as the indicator is greater than the upper limit of the reference range, the current value of the charging current is reduced. If the parameter that serves as the indicator is smaller than the lower limit of the reference range, the current value of the charging current is increased. Battery charging program.

10. On the computer, In a state in which the battery is being charged with the charging current whose current value has been adjusted by executing the charging program of claim 9, the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery are measured by superimposing a periodically changing current waveform onto the charging current. Based on the measurement results regarding the frequency characteristics of the impedance of the battery, the deterioration state of the battery is determined. Battery diagnostic program.

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