Battery pack inspection device

Abstract

To inspect a battery pack comprising a relay therein.SOLUTION: A battery pack inspection device 100 for inspecting a battery pack 1 comprising a battery 2 and a positive electrode terminal 4 connected with a positive electrode 2a of the battery 2, and having such a configuration that the positive electrode 2a of the battery 2 and the positive electrode terminal 4 are connected with each other via relays 10 and 11, comprises: a voltage measurement unit 101 that measures a voltage of the positive electrode terminal 4; a measurement control unit 102 that performs control so as to switch the relays 10 and 11 to a conduction state when starting inspection of the battery pack 1 and switch the relays 10 and 11 to a cut-off state when terminating the inspection of the battery pack 1; and a notification unit 103 that performs notification. After the measurement control unit 102 switches the relays 10 and 11 to the cut-off state when terminating the inspection of the battery pack 1, in a case where the voltage measurement unit 101 detects the voltage of the positive electrode terminal 4, and a predetermined voltage is output to the positive electrode terminal 4, the notification unit 103 performs a predetermined notification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack inspection device for inspecting a battery pack.

Background Art

[0002] When inspecting whether a used battery pack is normal for reuse, there are cases. Patent Document 1 discloses a measuring device for measuring battery state data related to the state of the electrical characteristics of a secondary battery.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Some battery packs are configured to connect a built-in battery and a positive terminal of the battery pack via a relay. The measuring device disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not sufficiently consider the inspection of a battery pack having a relay inside.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to enable inspection of a battery pack having a relay inside.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to a battery pack inspection device for inspecting a battery pack comprising a battery and a positive terminal connected to the positive electrode of the battery, wherein the positive electrode of the battery and the positive terminal are connected via a relay, and the device comprises: a voltage measurement unit for measuring the voltage of the positive terminal; a measurement control unit for controlling the relay to switch to a conductive state when the inspection of the battery pack is started and to switch the relay to a disconnected state when the inspection of the battery pack is finished; and a notification unit for providing notifications, wherein after the measurement control unit switches the relay to a disconnected state when the inspection of the battery pack is finished, the voltage measurement unit detects the voltage of the positive terminal, and if a predetermined voltage is output to the positive terminal, the notification unit provides notifications. error Notification If a predetermined voltage is not output to the positive terminal, the notification unit shall notify the battery pack of the inspection result. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a battery pack equipped with an internal relay can be tested, and the test can be completed when the battery pack is not outputting voltage to the outside. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the battery pack to be inspected. [Figure 2] This figure shows the functional configuration of the battery pack inspection device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows the process performed by the battery pack inspection device according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A battery pack inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a battery pack inspection device for inspecting a battery pack comprising a battery and a positive terminal connected to the positive electrode of the battery, wherein the positive electrode of the battery and the positive terminal are connected via a relay, and the device comprises a voltage measurement unit for measuring the voltage of the positive terminal, a measurement control unit that controls the relay to switch to a conductive state when the inspection of the battery pack is started and to switch the relay to a disconnected state when the inspection of the battery pack is finished, and a notification unit for providing notifications, wherein after the measurement control unit switches the relay to a disconnected state when the inspection of the battery pack is finished, the voltage measurement unit detects the voltage of the positive terminal, and if a predetermined voltage is output to the positive terminal, the notification unit provides a predetermined notification. This allows for testing battery packs that have internal relays, and enables the test to be completed when the battery pack is not outputting voltage externally. [Examples]

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. First, let me explain the battery pack 1 that will be tested. Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of battery pack 1. Battery pack 1 incorporates a battery 2, which may use a lithium-ion battery, and a BMS (Battery Management System) 3.

[0011] The battery pack 1 also includes a positive terminal 4, a negative terminal 6, and a voltage output terminal 8. The positive terminal 4 is connected to the positive terminal 2a of the battery 2 via a connecting wire 5. The negative terminal 6 is connected to the negative terminal 2b of the battery 2 via a connecting wire 7. The voltage output terminal 8 is connected to the positive terminal 2a of the battery 2 via a connecting wire 9 which is connected to the connecting wire 5.

[0012] The battery pack 1 also includes relays 10 and 11. Relay 10 is positioned on the connection line 5 between the positive terminal 2a of the battery 2 and the positive terminal 4, on the side of the battery 2 side than the connection position 9a of the connection line 9. Relay 11 is positioned on the connection line 5 between the positive terminal 2a of the battery 2 and the positive terminal 4, on the side of the positive terminal 4 side than the connection position 9a of the connection line 9. These relays 10 and 11 are opened and closed under the control of the BMS 3.

[0013] Furthermore, the battery pack 1 includes a power terminal 12 for connecting power to the BMS 3 and a power GND terminal 13 for connecting the BMS 3 to ground. Furthermore, the battery pack 1 is equipped with a CAN communication terminal 14 for performing CAN communication.

[0014] The battery pack 1, as described above, is detachably mounted on a vehicle equipped with an integrated starter generator. When the battery pack 1 is mounted on the vehicle, the positive terminal 4 is connected to the integrated starter generator. The battery pack 1 supplies power to the integrated starter generator when accelerating the vehicle or restarting a stationary vehicle. The battery pack 1 is also charged by receiving power generated by the integrated starter generator when the vehicle is decelerating. When the battery pack 1 is mounted on the vehicle, the voltage output terminal 8 is connected to an electrical load. When the battery pack 1 is mounted on the vehicle, the power terminal 12 and the power GND terminal 13 are connected to the vehicle's power cable. When the battery pack 1 is mounted on the vehicle, the CAN communication terminal 14 is connected to the vehicle's communication cable.

[0015] Next, the battery pack inspection device 100 will be described. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the battery pack inspection device 100. The battery pack inspection device 100 includes a voltage measurement unit 101, a measurement control unit 102, a notification unit 103, and a power supply unit 104. The battery pack inspection device 100 also includes inspection terminals 105a and 105b connected to the positive terminal 4 and the negative terminal 6 of the battery pack 1, power supply terminals 106a and 106b connected to the power supply terminal 12 and the power supply GND terminal 13 of the battery pack 1, and a communication terminal 107 connected to the CAN communication terminal 14 of the battery pack 1. Although not shown in the figure, there may be an inspection terminal connected to the voltage output terminal 8 of the battery pack 1.

[0016] The voltage measurement unit 101 measures the voltage of the positive terminal 4 of the battery pack 1.

[0017] The measurement control unit 102 issues open and close requests for relays 10 and 11 to the BMS 3 of the battery pack 1 to control the opening and closing of relays 10 and 11. When starting the inspection of the battery pack 1, the measurement control unit 102 controls to switch relays 10 and 11 to the closed (conducting state), and when ending the inspection of the battery pack 1, controls to switch relays 10 and 11 to the open (cut-off state).

[0018] The notification unit 103 notifies the inspection result of the battery pack 1. Also, as will be described later, before switching relays 10 and 11 to the conducting state when starting the inspection of the battery pack 1, or after switching relays 10 and 11 to the cut-off state when ending the inspection of the battery pack 1, if a predetermined voltage is output to the positive terminal 4, an error notification, which is a predetermined notification, is issued. The method of notification by the notification unit is not limited. For example, an indication unit (not shown) may be used to notify the inspection result of the battery pack and the error notification. Also, an LED (not shown) may be used to issue the error notification.

[0019] The power supply unit 104 supplies power to the battery pack 1 during the inspection of the battery pack 1. The BMS 3 is driven by receiving this power.

[0020] Next, with reference to Figure 3, the processes performed by the battery pack inspection device 100 will be explained. To reuse battery pack 1, the battery pack 1 removed from the vehicle is placed in the battery pack inspection device 100 to check whether or not the battery pack 1 is functioning correctly. With the battery pack 1 removed from the vehicle and placed in the battery pack inspection device 100, the flowchart in Figure 3 is executed. With the battery pack 1 placed in the battery pack inspection device 100, terminals 105a, 105b, 106a, 106b, and 107 of the battery pack inspection device 100 are connected to terminals 4, 6, 12, 13, and 14 of the battery pack 1.

[0021] In step S1, the voltage measurement unit 101 measures the voltage at the positive terminal 4 of the battery pack 1 (hereinafter referred to as the terminal voltage). In step S2, the measurement control unit 102 determines whether the terminal voltage measured in step S1 is greater than a preset threshold (voltage) α. If the terminal voltage is greater than threshold α, the process proceeds to step S8. If the terminal voltage is not greater than threshold α, the process proceeds to step S3. Although it has been stated that the measurement control unit 102 makes the determination, the system may be configured so that a component other than the measurement control unit 102 (for example, the notification unit 103) makes the determination.

[0022] In step S3, the measurement control unit 102 sends a request to the BMS3 of the battery pack 1 to close relays 10 and 11, controlling relays 10 and 11 to close. In this way, relays 10 and 11 are switched to closed (conductive state) when the inspection of the battery pack 1 begins. In step S4, the measurement control unit 102 performs an inspection of the battery pack 1. The inspection of the battery pack 1 itself can be done using known methods, so a detailed explanation is omitted, but for example, the terminal voltage is measured and a pass / fail determination is made based on whether the voltage value is within a predetermined range. In step S5, the measurement control unit 102 sends an open request to the BMS3 of the battery pack 1 to open relays 10 and 11, controlling relays 10 and 11 to open. In this way, relays 10 and 11 are switched to the open (off) state when the inspection of the battery pack 1 is completed.

[0023] In step S6, the voltage measurement unit 101 measures the terminal voltage. In step S7, the measurement control unit 102 determines whether the terminal voltage measured in step S6 is greater than a preset threshold (voltage) α. If the terminal voltage is greater than threshold α, the process proceeds to step S8. If the terminal voltage is not greater than threshold α, the process proceeds to step S9. Although it has been stated that the measurement control unit 102 performs the determination, the system may be configured so that a component other than the measurement control unit 102 (for example, the notification unit 103) performs the determination.

[0024] In step S8, the notification unit 103 issues an error notification. In steps S1 and S6, under normal circumstances, no voltage should be output to the positive terminal 4. Therefore, if a terminal voltage is measured at this stage, it may indicate that the health of the battery pack 1 is not guaranteed. In step S9, the notification unit 103 notifies the user of the inspection results performed in step S4.

[0025] As described above, when the inspection of battery pack 1 is completed, relays 10 and 11 are switched to the off state (step S5), the terminal voltage is detected (step S6), and if a predetermined voltage is output (step S7), an error notification is issued (step S8). This allows the inspection of battery pack 1 to be completed only after confirming that battery pack 1 is not outputting power to the outside, and also allows the inspector to recognize that the integrity of battery pack 1 is not ensured.

[0026] Furthermore, after switching relays 10 and 11 to the off state when the inspection of battery pack 1 is completed (step S5), the terminal voltage is detected (step S6), and then the inspection result of battery pack 1 is notified (step S9). This ensures that an error notification is reliably made before informing the inspector of the inspection result of battery pack 1, preventing the inspector from mistakenly believing that the battery pack is functioning normally when it is actually in an error state.

[0027] Furthermore, before switching relays 10 and 11 to a conductive state when starting the inspection of battery pack 1 (before step S3), the terminal voltage is detected (step S1), and if a predetermined voltage is output (step S2), an error notification is issued (step S8). This allows the inspector to recognize early on that the integrity of battery pack 1 is not ensured.

[0028] As described above, the battery pack 1, which has relays 10 and 11 inside, can be tested, and the test can be completed when the battery pack 1 is not outputting voltage to the outside.

[0029] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, each embodiment is merely a specific example of how the present invention can be implemented. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to each embodiment. Various modifications of the present invention are possible without departing from its spirit, and these modifications are also included within the technical scope of the present invention. A battery pack inspection device to which the present invention is applied includes, for example, a computer device equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and the functions of the measurement control unit and notification unit are realized when the CPU executes a predetermined program stored in, for example, ROM. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0030] 1: Battery pack, 2: Battery, 2a: Positive terminal, 2b: Negative terminal, 3: BMS, 4: Positive terminal, 5, 7, 9: Connection wires, 6: Negative terminal, 8: Voltage output terminal, 10, 11: Relay, 100: Battery pack inspection device, 101: Voltage measurement unit, 102: Measurement control unit, 103: Notification unit, 104: Power supply unit, 105a, 105b: Inspection terminals, 106a, 106b: Power supply terminals, 107: Communication terminal

Claims

1. A battery pack inspection device for inspecting a battery pack comprising a battery and a positive terminal connected to the positive terminal of the battery, wherein the positive terminal of the battery and the positive terminal are connected via a relay, A voltage measuring unit for measuring the voltage at the positive terminal, A measurement control unit that controls the relay to switch to a conductive state when the inspection of the battery pack is started, and to switch the relay to a disconnected state when the inspection of the battery pack is finished, It includes a notification unit that provides notifications, A battery pack inspection device characterized in that, after the measurement control unit switches the relay to the off state when the inspection of the battery pack is completed, the voltage measurement unit detects the voltage of the positive terminal, and if a predetermined voltage is output to the positive terminal, the notification unit issues an error notification, and if a predetermined voltage is not output to the positive terminal, the notification unit notifies the inspection result of the battery pack.

2. The battery pack inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, before switching the relay to a conductive state when the measurement control unit starts the inspection of the battery pack, the voltage measurement unit detects the voltage of the positive terminal, and if a predetermined voltage is output to the positive terminal, the notification unit issues an error notification.

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