Transmission device, diagnosis device, diagnosis system, and diagnosis program

Abstract

A transmission device (3) transmits: pack use history information (C) that is accumulated in a main battery management unit (3) for controlling a battery pack (2) including a plurality of battery modules (2a); and module use history information (D) that is accumulated in satellite battery management units (4) provided to the plurality of battery modules (2a) included in the battery pack (2).

Description

Transmitting device, diagnostic device, diagnostic system, and diagnostic program CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Application No. 2024-53161, filed on March 28, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to techniques for managing batteries.

[0003] The following Patent Document 1 discloses that a used battery pack after primary use is disassembled into individual battery modules, and the battery modules are sorted based on the results of measurements of the battery characteristics, and then rebuilt for secondary use.

[0004] JP 2017-134894 A

[0005] Patent Document 1 does not describe any technology regarding information on battery modules after primary use.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a technology that is effective in acquiring the usage history of each battery module after the first use of a battery pack with high accuracy and / or low communication load.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a transmitting device that transmits pack usage history information accumulated in a first management unit that controls a battery pack including a plurality of battery modules, and module usage history information accumulated in a second management unit provided in a plurality of the battery modules included in the battery pack.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a diagnostic device that receives pack usage history information accumulated in a first management unit that controls a battery pack including a plurality of battery modules and module usage history information accumulated in second management units provided in the plurality of battery modules included in the battery pack, and performs battery diagnosis based on the received pack usage history information and module usage history information.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a diagnostic program that causes a processor to: in response to a first request signal sent from an external device, cause a diagnostic device to receive pack usage history information accumulated in a first management unit that controls a battery pack including a plurality of battery modules; in response to a second request signal sent from the external device, cause the diagnostic device to receive module usage history information accumulated in second management units provided in the plurality of battery modules included in the battery pack; and perform battery diagnosis based on the received pack usage history information and module usage history information.

[0010] According to the above-described aspects, it is possible to obtain the usage history of each battery module after the primary use of the battery pack with high accuracy and / or low communication load.

[0011] Note that the symbols in parentheses in the claims indicate the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiments described below, and do not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a diagnostic system according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a battery diagnostic model, Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating transmission and reception of pack usage history information and module usage history information, Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating battery usage history and battery diagnosis, and Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a diagnostic system according to a second embodiment.

[0013] The battery diagnostic techniques according to the above-described aspects will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0014] 1 shows a diagnostic system 101 according to a first embodiment. The diagnostic system 101 is a system for diagnosing a battery pack 2 mounted on a vehicle 1 such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. For example, a user U brings the vehicle 1 equipped with the battery pack 2 to a dealer V. The dealer V then sends the battery pack 2 to a repair shop 20, where the battery pack 2 is diagnosed.

[0015] In response to the receipt of the battery pack 2, the repair shop 20 sends a rebuilt product to the dealer V. The rebuilt product may be a repaired version of the battery pack 2 sent from the dealer V, or may be a different battery pack from the battery pack 2 sent from the dealer V.

[0016] The functions of the diagnostic system 101 are executed by a processor 10. The term "processor 10" as used herein broadly encompasses computer components that perform operations such as data calculations and conversions, program execution, and control of other devices. The processor 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire computer, or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) that integrates some of the functions of the CPU.

[0017] 1. Configuration of Battery Pack 2 As shown in Figure 1, the battery pack 2 includes multiple battery modules 2a and a main battery management unit 3 (hereinafter referred to as "main BMU 3"). Each of the multiple battery modules 2a includes a battery pack formed by combining multiple battery cells, and a satellite battery management unit 4 (hereinafter referred to as "satellite BMU 4"). The battery cells are secondary batteries that can be recharged and reused. The main BMU 3 corresponds to the first management unit, and the satellite BMU 4 corresponds to the second management unit.

[0018] The main BMU 3 stores pack usage history information C of the battery pack 2. The main BMU 3 is a transmitting device that transmits the pack usage history information C stored in the main BMU 3 and the module usage history information D stored in the satellite BMU 4. The main BMU 3 transmits the pack usage history information C while the battery pack 2 is in use. The main BMU 3 also transmits the module usage history information D when an inquiry about the battery pack 2 is made by an external device 40A. Furthermore, the main BMU 3 samples battery characteristics E of the multiple battery modules 2a of the battery pack 2 and transmits them to the diagnostic device 40.

[0019] The battery characteristics E are information representing the characteristics of each of the plurality of battery modules 2a. Examples of the battery characteristics E include the resistance and section capacity of the battery module 2a. The battery characteristics E are stored in the battery information storage unit 51 of the battery information management database 50. The battery characteristics E can be acquired by charging and discharging the battery using a charging / discharging device, and measuring the battery characteristics E from sensing data such as current, voltage, and temperature. The battery characteristics E include at least one of a charge voltage characteristic based on at least one of a voltage transition when the battery module 2a is charged to a predetermined charge target voltage and a voltage transition after the battery module 2a is charged to the charge target voltage and charging is stopped, or a discharge voltage characteristic based on at least one of a voltage transition when the secondary battery is discharged to a predetermined discharge target voltage and a voltage transition after the secondary battery is discharged to the discharge target voltage and discharging is stopped. Other examples of battery characteristics E include the ratio of the voltage change of the secondary battery to the capacity change of the secondary battery in the voltage range, the ratio of the voltage change of the secondary battery to the elapsed time in the voltage range, and the capacity ratio of the range capacity of the voltage range to the sum of the range capacities.

[0020] The satellite BMU 4 stores module usage history information D for multiple battery modules 2a. Because the satellite BMU 4 remains connected to the battery modules 2a even after the battery pack 2 is disassembled, it can continuously store module usage history information D for the lifetime of each battery module 2a, including the storage period. Therefore, by using the module usage history information D stored in the satellite BMU 4, it becomes possible to perform highly accurate diagnosis of each battery module 2a.

[0021] The diagnostic system 101 includes a battery information acquisition device 21, a diagnostic device 40, a battery information management database 50, a battery control device 60, a battery assessment device 70, and an assembly instruction device 80. The battery information acquisition device 21 is provided in a repair shop 20. The diagnostic device 40, the battery information management database 50, the battery control device 60, the battery assessment device 70, and the assembly instruction device 80 are provided in a cloud 30 or a data server 31.

[0022] 2. Configuration of Battery Information Acquisition Device 21 The battery information acquisition device 21 acquires module usage history information D from the main BMU 3 of the battery pack 2 and transmits it to the diagnostic device 40. The battery information acquisition device 21 also samples battery characteristics E of the multiple battery modules 2a of the battery pack 2 and transmits it to the diagnostic device 40. Note that the module usage history information D and battery characteristics E may be transmitted directly from the main BMU 3 to the diagnostic device 40 without going through the battery information acquisition device 21. The functions of the battery information acquisition device 21 are executed by a processor 10A. This processor 10A is contained in processor 10 together with processors 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, and 10F, which will be described later.

[0023] 3. Configuration of Diagnostic Device 40 Diagnostic device 40 has the function of receiving pack usage history information C and module usage history information D, and performing battery diagnosis based on the received pack usage history information C and module usage history information D. In other words, diagnostic device 40 has both a receiving function and a diagnostic function. Diagnostic device 40 includes, as its components, a pack usage history information acquisition unit 41, a past usage history information acquisition unit 42, a pack design information acquisition unit 43, a simple diagnosis unit 44, a module usage history information acquisition unit 45, a battery characteristics acquisition unit 46, and a high-precision diagnosis unit 47. The functions of each of these components are executed by processor 10B.

[0024] The pack usage history information acquisition unit 41 acquires pack usage history information C from the main BMU 3 of the battery pack 2. The past usage history information acquisition unit 42 acquires past usage history information of the battery pack 2 from the battery information accumulation unit 51 of the battery information management database 50. The pack design information acquisition unit 43 acquires design information of the battery pack 2 from the battery information accumulation unit 51 of the battery information management database 50. The simple diagnosis unit 44 performs a simple diagnosis using the pack usage history information C acquired by the pack usage history information acquisition unit 41. The module usage history information acquisition unit 45 acquires module usage history information D from the main BMU 3 of the battery pack 2 or the battery information acquisition device 21. The battery characteristics acquisition unit 46 acquires battery characteristics E from the main BMU 3 of the battery pack 2 or the battery information acquisition device 21. The high-precision diagnosis unit 47 performs a high-precision diagnosis using the module usage history information D and the battery characteristics E. A battery diagnosis model M, described below, can be used in the diagnosis by this high-precision diagnosis unit 47.

[0025] 4. Configuration of Battery Information Management Database 50 The battery information management database 50 is a database used to manage battery information related to the battery pack 2. This battery information management database 50 includes a battery information storage unit 51. The functions of the battery information storage unit 51 are executed by the processor 10C. The battery information storage unit 51 stores information received from each of the diagnosis device 40, the battery control device 60, the battery assessment device 70, and the assembly instruction device 80.

[0026] 5. Configuration of Battery Control Device 60 The battery control device 60 is a device used to control the battery pack 2. The battery control device 60 includes, as its components, a diagnostic result receiving unit 61 and a battery control unit 62. The functions of these components are executed by the processor 10D. The diagnostic result receiving unit 61 receives the diagnostic result R from the battery information storage unit 51 of the battery information management database 50. The battery control unit 62 calculates control information for controlling the battery pack 2 based on the diagnostic result R received by the diagnostic result receiving unit 61, and transmits the control information to the battery information storage unit 51.

[0027] 6. Configuration of the Battery Assessment Device 70 The battery assessment device 70 is a device used to assess the battery pack 2. The battery assessment device 70 includes, as its components, a diagnostic result receiving unit 71 and a battery assessment unit 72. The functions of these components are executed by the processor 10E. The diagnostic result receiving unit 71 receives the diagnostic result R from the battery information storage unit 51 of the battery information management database 50. The battery assessment unit 72 assesses the battery pack 2 based on the diagnostic result R received by the diagnostic result receiving unit 71, and transmits the assessment information to the battery information storage unit 51.

[0028] 7. Configuration of the assembly instruction device 80 The assembly instruction device 80 is a device used to give instructions for assembling a rebuilt battery pack 2. The assembly instruction device 80 includes, as its components, a diagnostic result receiving unit 81 and an assembly module selecting unit 82. The functions of each of these components are executed by the processor 10F. The diagnostic result receiving unit 81 receives the diagnostic result R from the battery information storage unit 51 of the battery information management database 50. The assembly module selecting unit 82 selects a plurality of battery modules 2a suitable for rebuilding based on the diagnostic result R received by the diagnostic result receiving unit 81, and transmits the selection information to the battery information storage unit 51.

[0029] The functions of each component of the diagnostic system 101 are realized by having the processor 10 execute a diagnostic program P for diagnosing the battery pack 2. Therefore, the diagnostic program P is a program that causes the processor 10 to realize the functions of each component. The processor 10 is configured by all or part of the aforementioned processors 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, and 10F. The diagnostic program P is stored in a non-transitory storage medium 11. The non-transitory storage medium 11 is depicted separately in the drawings to avoid clutter. However, the non-transitory storage medium 11 is included in the vehicle 1, the battery information acquisition device 21, the diagnostic device 40, the battery information management database 50, the battery control device 60, the battery assessment device 70, and the assembly instruction device 80. At least a portion of the diagnostic program P is stored in the non-transitory storage medium 11 included in each of these components. Various types of non-transitory storage mediums 11, such as memory-type, disk-type, and tape-type, can be used as the non-transitory storage medium 11. The diagnostic program P may be stored in the cloud 30 or the data server 31. A configuration may be adopted in which at least a portion of the diagnostic program P is downloaded from the cloud 30 or the data server 31 to the vehicle 1, the battery information acquisition device 21, the diagnostic device 40, the battery information management database 50, the battery control device 60, the battery assessment device 70, and the assembly instruction device 80.

[0030] The allocation of the multiple components (functional components) of the diagnostic system 101 to the repair shop 20, the cloud 30, or the data server 31 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 1 and can be changed as appropriate as necessary. In addition, other devices or facilities may be used as the allocation destination of each component (functional component).

[0031] The high-accuracy diagnostic unit 47 of the diagnostic device 40 uses a pre-constructed battery diagnostic model M, as shown in FIG. 2 . The battery diagnostic model M receives both module usage history information D and battery characteristics E as input information, and outputs the diagnostic result R of the battery module 2a (e.g., capacity, capacity degradation amount, SOH (State Of Health) which is the degree of degradation, and SOH change amount per unit period). This battery diagnostic model M is constructed using a theoretical model, a machine learning model, or the like. The battery diagnostic model M uses, for example, a battery degradation model formula Ma expressed by the following formula (1):

[0032] Y = a １ ×X １ +a ２ ×X ２ +...+a ｎ ×X ｎ +Intercept...(1)

[0033] The battery degradation model formula Ma is a model formula obtained by linear regression analysis in which the battery characteristics E, which are characteristic data of the battery module 2a, are used as the objective variable X, and the usage history information of the battery module 2a and the exponents of the usage history information are used as the explanatory variables Y. This battery degradation model formula Ma is modeled by specifying the coefficient of each term of the explanatory variable Y as positive or negative in advance. This battery degradation model formula Ma includes a term for the usage history information and a term for the exponents of the usage history information (nonlinear term). For the linear regression analysis, an appropriate algorithm such as lasso regression, ridge regression, or elastic net can be used.

[0034] The usage history information is module usage history information D acquired when measuring the battery characteristics E. Examples of module usage history information D include accumulated charge amount, accumulated discharge amount, temperature frequency distribution, SOC (State of Charge) frequency distribution, SOC fluctuation frequency, current frequency, current duration frequency, and multidimensional frequency of each feature (e.g., two-dimensional frequency of SOC-temperature) generated from sensing data such as usage period, mileage of the vehicle 1, number of times the vehicle 1 has been started, current, voltage, and temperature. The difference between the representative usage history and the individual usage history is not limited to the recording period. The difference between the two also depends on the arrangement and connection method within the battery pack 2. For example, if there is temperature variation due to the arrangement, the temperature frequency will differ for each battery module 2a; if there is current variation due to parallel connection, the accumulated charge amount, accumulated discharge amount, current frequency, current duration frequency, etc. will differ; and if there is voltage variation due to series connection, the SOC frequency, SOC fluctuation frequency, etc. will differ. These differences exist between the representative usage history and the individual usage history. Due to these differences alone, the individual usage history is more accurate and the information is more precise than the representative usage history.

[0035] The battery degradation model formula Ma may be stored in the cloud 30 or the data server 31, or may be stored in the battery information acquisition device 21 of the repair shop 20. The battery degradation model formula Ma may be updated as appropriate. The diagnostic model used to diagnose the multiple battery modules 2a is not limited to the battery diagnostic model M. Instead of the battery diagnostic model M, a battery diagnostic model using either the module usage history information D or the battery characteristics E as input information may be used. Furthermore, instead of an estimated determination based on the battery diagnostic model M, an actual measurement determination based on actual measurement values ​​may be adopted. Furthermore, if necessary, a step of determining whether the diagnosis is possible may be performed before diagnosing the multiple battery modules 2a.

[0036] 3, the transmission and reception of the pack usage history information C and the module usage history information D will be described. The transmission and reception is performed between the main BMU 3 of the battery pack 2 and the diagnostic device 40.

[0037] 3, during primary use of the battery pack 2, the diagnostic device 40 transmits a first request signal S1 to the main BMU 3 in response to an inquiry from the external device 40A. In response to receiving the first request signal S1, the main BMU 3 transmits primary use pack usage history information C stored in the main BMU 3 to the diagnostic device 40. Note that the primary use pack usage history information C may be transmitted periodically (constantly) from the main BMU 3 to the diagnostic device 40 without using the first request signal S1.

[0038] The primary use pack usage history information C is a representative usage history representing the usage history of the multiple battery modules 2a during primary use. The diagnostic device 40 then performs a battery diagnosis in the simplified diagnostic unit 44 based on the representative usage history during primary use. The battery diagnosis at this time is a simplified diagnosis using the representative usage history during primary use. This simplified diagnosis allows the usage history information to be acquired with a low communication load by narrowing the usage history to the representative usage history. The simplified diagnosis is preferably performed during normal use of the battery pack 2.

[0039] Modifications of the simplified diagnosis include, for example, the following. In such a modification, the diagnostic device 40 may have a usage history information creation unit as a functional unit. The usage history information creation unit creates module usage history information D for each of the plurality of battery modules 2a based on the design information F acquired by the pack design information acquisition unit 43. However, the usage history information creation unit may create module usage history information D for only a representative battery module 2a, such as battery modules 2a located at the ends and center required for control, rather than for all of the plurality of battery modules 2a. A simplified diagnosis may be performed using this individual module usage history information D.

[0040] When the battery pack 2 is in primary use or when it is brought into storage after primary use, the diagnostic device 40 responds to an inquiry from the external device 40A by transmitting a second request signal S2 to the main BMU 3. In response to receiving the second request signal S2, the main BMU 3 receives from the satellite BMU 4 the module usage history information D of the primary use stored in the satellite BMU 4 and transmits it to the diagnostic device 40.

[0041] The primary use module usage history information D is an individual usage history from the time of manufacture of the multiple battery modules 2a until the battery characteristics E for calculating the usage history are sampled. The diagnostic device 40 then performs a battery diagnosis in the high-precision diagnostic unit 47 using the primary use module usage history information D and the battery characteristics E. The battery diagnosis at this time is a high-precision diagnosis using the individual usage history. By transmitting the individual usage history only during this high-precision diagnosis, the communication load can be kept low. The high-precision diagnosis is preferably performed when the battery pack 2 is assessed or during vehicle inspection.

[0042] During secondary use of the battery pack 2, the diagnostic device 40 transmits a first request signal T1 to the main BMU 3 in response to an inquiry from the external device 40A. In response to receiving the first request signal T1, the main BMU 3 transmits secondary use pack usage history information C stored in the main BMU 3 to the diagnostic device 40. Note that the secondary use pack usage history information C may be transmitted from the main BMU 3 to the diagnostic device 40 periodically (constantly) without using the first request signal T1.

[0043] The secondary use pack usage history information C is a representative usage history representing the usage history of the multiple battery modules 2a during secondary use. The diagnostic device 40 then performs a battery diagnosis in the simplified diagnostic unit 44 based on a combined usage history obtained by combining the module usage history information D (individual usage history) during primary use and the representative usage history during secondary use. This battery diagnosis is a simplified diagnosis using the representative usage history during secondary use. This simplified diagnosis allows for acquisition of usage history information with a low communication load by narrowing the usage history to the representative usage history. Thus, during the Nth use of the battery pack 2 (where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2), the simplified diagnostic unit 44 of the diagnostic device 40 performs a battery diagnosis based on the combined usage history obtained by combining the individual usage history during the (N-1)th use and the representative usage history during the Nth use. Note that a more accurate diagnosis can be achieved by using the combined usage history obtained by combining the last received individual usage history of the module usage history information D (individual usage history) during the (N-1)th use and the representative usage history during the Nth use.

[0044] When the battery pack 2 is being used for secondary purposes or when it is brought into storage after secondary use, the diagnostic device 40 transmits a second request signal T2 to the main BMU 3 in response to an inquiry from the external device 40A. In response to receiving the second request signal T2, the main BMU 3 receives secondary use module usage history information D accumulated in the satellite BMU 4 from the satellite BMU 4 and transmits it to the diagnostic device 40. The secondary use module usage history information D at this time is individual usage history including primary use, storage, and secondary use of the multiple battery modules 2a. The diagnostic device 40 then performs battery diagnosis in the high-precision diagnostic unit 47 using the secondary use module usage history information D and the battery characteristics E. This battery diagnosis is a high-precision diagnosis using individual usage history.

[0045] Next, a specific example of the contents of Fig. 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In this specific example, it is assumed that a battery pack 2 with a pack name P1 and a battery pack 2 with a pack name P2 are used primarily, and then the two battery packs 2 are disassembled and stored, and the battery pack 2 with a pack name P3 is used secondary. The number of battery modules 2a included in the battery pack 2 is three. The battery pack 2 with the pack name P3 is a rebuilt product formed by assembling the first module of the battery pack 2 with the pack name P1, the first module of the battery pack 2 with the pack name P2, and the third module of the battery pack 2 with the pack name P1.

[0046] As a premise, the representative usage history of primary usage will be written as "A_P1" for the battery pack 2 with the pack name P1, and as "A_P2" for the battery pack 2 with the pack name P2. Furthermore, the individual usage history of primary usage will be written as "A_P1_1" for the first module of the battery pack 2 with the pack name P1, as "A_P1_2" for the second module of this battery pack 2, and as "A_P1_3" for the third module of this battery pack 2. The same rule is used for the battery pack 2 with the pack name P2. Regarding the battery usage history, the individual usage history is accumulated in the satellite BMU 4, and the representative usage history is accumulated in the main BMU 3.

[0047] According to the above assumptions, the individual usage history during storage after disassembly will be "A_P1_1+α1" for the first module of battery pack 2 with pack name P1, "A_P1_2+α2" for the second module of this battery pack 2, and "A_P1_3+α1" for the third module of this battery pack 2. The same is true for battery pack 2 with pack name P2. The representative usage history for secondary use will be "B_P3." The individual usage history for secondary use will be "A_P1_1+α1+B_P3_1" for the first module, "A_P2_1+α4+B_P3_2" for the second module, and "A_P1_3+α3+B_P3_3" for the third module.

[0048] When battery diagnosis is performed on a battery pack 2 with the pack name P1 during primary use, the representative usage history "A_P1" is used for all modules. On the other hand, when battery diagnosis is performed on this battery pack 2 during primary use or when it is brought into storage after primary use, the individual usage history for primary use "A_P1_1" is used for the first module, the individual usage history for primary use "A_P1_2" is used for the second module, and the individual usage history for primary use "A_P1_3" is used for the third module.

[0049] When battery diagnosis is performed on battery pack 2 with pack name P3 during secondary use, for the first module, the combined usage history "A_P1_1+B_P3" of "A_P1_1", which is the individual usage history during primary use, and "B_P3", which is the representative usage history during secondary use, is used. For the second module, the combined usage history "A_P2_1+B_P3" of "A_P2_1", which is the individual usage history during primary use, and "B_P3", which is the representative usage history during secondary use, is used. For the third module, the combined usage history "A_P1_3+B_P3" of "A_P1_3", which is the individual usage history during primary use, and "B_P3", which is the representative usage history during secondary use, is used.

[0050] In contrast, when battery diagnosis is performed on battery pack 2 with pack name P3 during secondary use or when it is brought into storage after secondary use, for the first module, the individual usage history for secondary use, "A_P1_1+α1+B_P3_1", is used, for the second module, the individual usage history for secondary use, "A_P2_1+α4+B_P3_2", is used, and for the third module, the individual usage history for secondary use, "A_P1_3+α3+B_P3_3", is used.

[0051] 8. Effects According to the first embodiment, by storing the module usage history information D in the satellite BMU 4, the module usage history information D can be continuously acquired while each battery module 2a of the battery pack 2 is stored in a modular state, and while the battery pack 2 is being transported after being removed from the vehicle 1. Furthermore, even if the battery pack 2 is disassembled and the connection destination of each battery module 2a changes, the lifetime module usage history information D (individual usage history) can be acquired with high accuracy. On the other hand, by using a representative usage history of multiple battery modules 2a as the pack usage history information C, the communication load can be kept low.

[0052] Therefore, it is possible to acquire the usage history of each battery module 2a of the battery pack 2 after the first use with high accuracy and low communication load.

[0053] Other embodiments related to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the other embodiments, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same elements will be omitted.

[0054] Second Embodiment Fig. 5 shows a diagnostic system 102 of a second embodiment. This diagnostic system 102 differs from the diagnostic system 101 of the first embodiment in that the diagnostic device 40 further includes a past usage history information processing unit 48. The other configurations and diagnostic processing are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0055] The past usage history information processing unit 48 has an acquisition function for acquiring past usage history information of the battery pack 2 from the battery information storage unit 51 of the battery information management database 50, an addition function for adding up the target usage history information, a comparison function for comparing the target usage history information, and a judgment function for determining whether or not battery diagnosis is possible based on the comparison result.

[0056] The past usage history information processing unit 48 compares the representative usage history and individual usage history of the multiple battery modules 2a during or after the primary usage of the battery pack 2. For example, in FIG. 4, the representative usage history "A_P1" and the individual usage history "A_P1_1" for the first battery module of the battery pack 2 with the pack name P1 are compared. If the compared representative usage history and the individual usage history are equivalent, it is determined that battery diagnosis is possible. On the other hand, if the compared representative usage history and the individual usage history are not equivalent, it is suspected that a factor such as unauthorized replacement of the battery module 2a may have occurred, and it is determined that battery diagnosis and subsequent control should not be performed.

[0057] The term "equivalent" here refers to not only cases where the representative usage history and the individual usage history are identical, but also to consideration of variations that may occur between the representative usage history and the individual usage history within the battery pack 2. Therefore, even if there is a difference within the range of variation between the representative usage history and the individual usage history, they are determined to be equivalent.

[0058] Furthermore, during the Nth use of the battery pack 2 (where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2) or at the end of the Nth use, the past usage history information processing unit 48 compares the combined usage history, which is the sum of the individual usage history from the (N-1)th use and the representative usage history from the Nth use, with the individual usage history from the Nth use. For example, in FIG. 4 , the combined usage history "A_P1_1+B_P3" for the first battery module of the battery pack 2 with the pack name P3 is compared with the individual usage history "A_P1_1+α1+B_P3_1" for the secondary use. If the compared combined usage history and the individual usage history are equivalent, it is determined that battery diagnosis is possible. On the other hand, if the compared combined usage history and the individual usage history from the Nth use are not equivalent, it is suspected that a factor such as unauthorized replacement of the battery module 2a may have occurred, and it is determined that battery diagnosis and subsequent control will not be performed.

[0059] The term "equivalent" here refers not only to cases where the combined usage history and the individual usage history at the Nth usage are identical, but also to the consideration of variations that may occur between the combined usage history and the individual usage history at the Nth usage. This variation occurs during the storage period from the (N-1)th usage to the Nth usage. Because no charging or discharging occurs during the storage period, the history of the accumulated charging amount and the accumulated discharging amount does not increase, and no differences occur. Furthermore, because the storage period is often spent in a temperature-controlled storage facility, much of the temperature history is at room temperature. For this reason, the temperature history at high and low temperatures is unlikely to increase, and differences are unlikely to occur. For this reason, even if there is a difference within the range of variation between the combined usage history and the individual usage history at the Nth usage, they are determined to be equivalent.

[0060] In addition, the past usage history information processing unit 48 can make a more accurate determination by comparing the combined usage history, which is the sum of the last individual usage history received during the (N-1)th usage and the representative usage history during the Nth usage, with the individual usage history during the Nth usage. In particular, for usage period, temperature, etc., which increase in history during the storage period, the individual usage history during the Nth usage will be larger than the combined usage history, which is the sum of the individual usage history during the (N-1)th usage and the representative usage history during the Nth usage. The fact that it becomes larger may be used as a determination criterion.

[0061] According to the second embodiment, by determining whether or not the battery diagnosis can be performed, unnecessary battery diagnosis and subsequent control can be omitted. In addition, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0062] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the above-described embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to these forms and structures. The present disclosure also encompasses various modifications and modifications within the scope of equivalents. In addition, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms including only one element, more than one element, or less than one element, are also within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the following forms can be implemented by applying the above-described forms.

[0063] In the above embodiment, an example is given of diagnosing a battery pack 2 mounted on a vehicle 1, but this diagnostic technique may also be applied to diagnosing a battery pack 2 mounted on consumer equipment or industrial equipment other than the vehicle 1.

Claims

1. A transmitting device (3) that transmits pack usage history information (C) stored in a first management unit (3) that controls a battery pack (2) including a plurality of battery modules (2a), and module usage history information (D) stored in a second management unit (4) provided in a plurality of the battery modules included in the battery pack.

2. A transmitting device as claimed in claim 1, which transmits the pack usage history information while the battery pack is in use, and transmits the module usage history information when an inquiry about the battery pack is made by an external device (40A).

3. A transmitting device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the pack usage history information is a representative usage history representing the usage history of the batteries of the multiple battery modules when they are used, and the module usage history information is an individual usage history from the time of manufacture of the multiple battery modules to the time of sampling of the battery characteristics to calculate the usage history.

4. A diagnostic device (40) that receives pack usage history information (C) stored in a first management unit (3) that controls a battery pack (2) including a plurality of battery modules (2a) and module usage history information (D) stored in a second management unit (4) provided in a plurality of the battery modules included in the battery pack, and performs battery diagnosis based on the received pack usage history information and module usage history information.

5. A diagnostic device according to claim 4, which receives the pack usage history information while the battery pack is in use, and receives the module usage history information when an inquiry about the battery pack is made from an external device (40A).

6. A diagnostic device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the pack usage history information is a representative usage history representing the usage history of the batteries of the plurality of battery modules when they are used, and the module usage history information is an individual usage history from the time of manufacture of the plurality of battery modules until the battery characteristics are sampled to calculate the usage history.

7. The diagnostic device according to claim 6, wherein during the primary use of the battery pack, a battery diagnosis is performed based on the representative use history of the plurality of battery modules, and during the Nth use of the battery pack (where N is an integer of 2 or more), a battery diagnosis is performed based on a combined use history obtained by combining the individual use history at the (N-1)th use and the representative use history at the Nth use.

8. A diagnostic device as described in claim 6, which compares the representative usage history and the individual usage history of multiple battery modules during primary use of the battery pack or at the end of primary use, and determines that battery diagnosis is possible if the compared representative usage history and the compared individual usage history are equivalent.

9. The diagnostic device according to claim 8, wherein during the Nth use of the battery pack (where N is an integer of 2 or greater) or at the end of the Nth use, a combined usage history obtained by combining the individual usage history from the (N-1)th use and the representative usage history from the Nth use is compared with the individual usage history from the Nth use, and if the compared combined usage history and the individual usage history are equivalent, it is determined that battery diagnosis is possible.

10. A diagnostic system (101, 102) comprising a transmitting device according to claim 1 or 2 and a diagnostic device according to claim 4 or 5.

11. A diagnostic program (P) that causes a processor (10) to cause a diagnostic device (40) to receive pack usage history information (C) stored in a first management unit (3) that controls a battery pack (2) including a plurality of battery modules (2a) in response to a first request signal (S1, T1) sent from an external device (40A), cause the diagnostic device to receive module usage history information (D) stored in second management units (4) provided in the plurality of battery modules included in the battery pack in response to a second request signal (S2, T2) sent from the external device, and perform battery diagnosis based on the received pack usage history information and module usage history information.

12. A diagnostic program as described in claim 11, which causes the processor (10) to receive the pack usage history information while the battery pack is in use, and to receive the module usage history information when an inquiry about the battery pack is made from the external device.

13. A diagnostic program as described in claim 11 or 12, wherein the pack usage history information is a representative usage history representing the usage history of the batteries of the plurality of battery modules when they are used, and the module usage history information is an individual usage history from the time of manufacture of the plurality of battery modules to the time of sampling of the battery characteristics for calculating the usage history.

14. The diagnostic program of claim 13, which causes the processor (10) to perform battery diagnosis based on the representative usage history of the plurality of battery modules during the primary usage of the battery pack, and to perform battery diagnosis based on a combined usage history obtained by combining the individual usage history during the (N-1)th usage and the representative usage history during the Nth usage of the battery pack (where N is an integer of 2 or greater) 15. A diagnostic program as described in claim 13, which causes the processor (10) to compare the representative usage history and the individual usage history of multiple battery modules during primary use of the battery pack or at the end of primary use, and determines that battery diagnosis is possible if the compared representative usage history and the individual usage history are equivalent.

16. The diagnostic program of claim 15, which causes the processor (10) to compare, during the Nth use of the battery pack (where N is an integer of 2 or greater) or at the end of the Nth use, a combined usage history obtained by combining the individual usage history from the (N-1)th use and the representative usage history from the Nth use with the individual usage history from the Nth use, and determines that battery diagnosis is possible if the compared combined usage history and the individual usage history are equivalent.

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