Battery management system, battery management apparatus, method of reusing battery, and information communication terminal apparatus

• US 9,285,433 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2011
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Kurimoto, Yasuhide
• Primary Examiner(s): Henson, Mischita
• Application Number:
  US13/703,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20130090872A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,793 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/12 Recording operating variables ; Monitoring of operating variables
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/13 Maintaining the SoC within a determined range
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/16 responding to battery ageing, e.g. to the number of charging cycles or the state of health [SoH]
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/24 for controlling the temperature of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/389 Measuring internal impedance, internal conductance or related variables
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/392 Determining battery ageing or deterioration, e.g. state of health
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/00 Digital computers in general details G06F1/00 – G06F13/00; Data processing equipment in general
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/482 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/54 Reclaiming serviceable parts of waste accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/47 using RFID associated with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/75 by polling or interrogating the sub-stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/84 Recycling of batteries or fuel cells

Abstract

Provided is a method of reusing a battery, a battery management system, a battery management apparatus, and an information communication terminal apparatus, wherein, upon retrieving batteries mounted on vehicles, methods of handling the retrieved batteries can be determined at low cost. Measurement data of each of a plurality of stacks constituting a battery pack are transmitted to a data station. The data station stores the received measurement data in a history information storage unit as history information. When history information of a battery pack mounted on a scrapped vehicle is not stored in the history information storage unit of the data station, that battery pack is subjected to recycle processing. When history information thereof is stored in the history information storage unit of the data station, a method of reusing the battery pack is determined on the basis of the history information.

Claims

1. A battery management system including:

an identification information storage unit for storing therein identification information of a battery pack having a plurality of constitutive batteries;

a measurement unit for measuring state information relating to a degree of degradation of each of the constitutive batteries;

a transmitter for transmitting the identification information of the battery pack and measured value data obtained by the measurement unit;

a receiver for receiving the identification information and the measured value data transmitted from the transmitter;

a history record information storage unit for storing therein the measured value data received by the receiver as history record information in a manner that associates with the identification information of the battery pack; and

a decision unit for deciding a method of reusing the battery pack or the constitutive batteries based on the history record information stored in the history record information storage unit,

wherein the decision unit includes;

a history record presence/absence decision unit for determining whether or not the history record information of the battery pack is stored in the history record information storage unit; and

a battery handling method decision unit configured to;

decide that the battery pack is unreusable when it is determined that the history record information of the battery pack is not stored in the history record information storage unit; and

determine whether or not the constitutive batteries of the battery pack are reusable based on the history record information of the constitutive batteries when it is determined that the history record information of the battery pack is stored in the history record information storage unit.

2. The battery management system according to claim 1, wherein

the battery handling method decision unit is configured to:

decide to reuse the battery pack when it is determined that all of the constitutive batteries of the battery pack are reusable; and

;

decide to recycle the battery pack when it is determined that none of the constitutive batteries of the battery pack is reusable.

3. The battery management system according to claim 2, wherein

the battery handling method decision unit is configured to:

when it is determined that a part of the constitutive batteries is reusable but other ones of the constitutive batteries are unreusable,

decide to gather and combine reusable ones of the constitutive batteries of the battery pack in the form of a battery pack anew, and

decide to recycle the unreusable constitutive batteries.

4. The battery management system according to any claim 1, wherein

the measurement unit is configured to measure at least a full charge capacity of the constitutive battery, and

the battery handling method decision unit is configured to determine that:

the constitutive battery is unreusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit and the full charge capacity is equal to or lower than a predefined reusability threshold of the full charge capacity, and

the constitutive battery is reusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit unless the constitutive battery is determined as unreusable.

5. The battery management system according to claim 1, wherein

the measurement unit is configured to measure at least a full charge capacity of the constitutive battery, and

the battery handling method decision unit is configured to determined that:

the constitutive battery is unreusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit and a quantity of change of the full charge capacity is equal to or more than a predefined reusability threshold of the quantity of change of the full charge capacity, and

the constitutive battery is reusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit unless the constitutive battery is determined as unreusable.

6. The battery management system according to claim 1, wherein

the measurement unit is configured to measure at least a full charge capacity of the constitutive battery, and

the battery handling method decision unit is configured to determined that:

the constitutive battery is unreusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit and a variation of a quantity of change of the full charge capacity is equal to or more than a predefined reusability threshold of the variation of the quantity of change of the full charge capacity, and

the constitutive battery is reusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit unless the constitutive battery is determined as unreusable.

7. The battery management system according to claim 1, wherein

the measurement unit is configured to measure at least a full charge capacity of the constitutive battery, and

the battery handling method decision unit is configured to determined that:

the constitutive battery is unreusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit and a difference between the measured full charge capacity and an initial value of the full charge capacity is equal to or more than a predefined reusability threshold of the initial value of the full charge capacity, and

the constitutive battery is reusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit unless the constitutive battery is determined as unreusable.

8. The battery management system according to claim 1, wherein

the measurement unit is configured to measure at least internal resistance of the constitutive battery, and

the battery handling method decision unit is configured to determined that:

the constitutive battery is unreusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit and the internal resistance is equal to or more than a predefined reusability threshold of the internal resistance, and

the constitutive battery is reusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit unless the constitutive battery is determined as unreusable.

9. The battery management system according to claim 1, wherein

the measurement unit is configured to measure at least internal resistance of the constitutive battery, and

the battery handling method decision unit is configured to determined that:

the constitutive battery is unreusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit and a quantity of change of the internal resistance is equal to or more than a predefined reusability threshold of the quantity of change of the internal resistance, and

the constitutive battery is reusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit unless the constitutive battery is determined as unreusable.

10. The battery management system according to claim 1, wherein

the measurement unit is configured to measure at least internal resistance of the constitutive battery, and

the battery handling method decision unit is configured to determine that:

the constitutive battery is unreusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit and a variation of a quantity of change of the internal resistance is equal to or more than a predefined reusability threshold of the variation of the quantity of change of the internal resistance, and

the constitutive battery is reusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit unless the constitutive battery is determined as unreusable.

11. The battery management system according to claim 1, wherein

the measurement unit is configured to measure at least internal resistance of the constitutive battery, and

the battery handling method decision unit is configured to determined that:

the constitutive battery is unreusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit and a difference between the measured internal resistance and an initial value of the internal resistance is equal to or more than a predefined reusability threshold of the initial value of the internal resistance, and

the constitutive battery is reusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit unless the constitutive battery is determined as unreusable.

12. The battery management system according to claim 1, further including a battery-mounted equipment, a battery information management unit, and an external battery charger,

wherein the battery-mounted equipment includes the battery pack having the identification storage unit and the measurement unit,

the battery information management unit includes the receiver, the history record information storage unit, and the decision unit, and

the external battery charger includes the transmitter and a charger for charging the battery pack.

13. The battery management system according to claim 1, further including a battery-mounted equipment, a battery information management unit, and a battery information acquisition device,

wherein the battery-mounted equipment includes the battery pack having the identification storage unit and the measurement unit,

the battery information management unit includes the receiver, the history record information storage unit, and the decision unit, and

the battery information acquisition device includes the transmitter and a storage unit for storing therein the state information of the constitutive battery.

14. The battery management system according to claim 1, further including a battery-mounted equipment and a battery information management unit,

wherein the battery-mounted equipment includes the battery pack having the identification information storage unit, the measurement unit, and the transmitter, and

the battery information management unit includes the receiver, the history record information storage unit, and the decision unit.

15. The battery management system according to claim 1, wherein the constitutive battery is a battery cell.

16. The battery management system according to claim 1, wherein the constitutive battery is a stack having a combination of a plurality of battery cells.

17. A battery management system including:

an identification information storage unit for storing therein identification information of a battery having a constitutive battery cell;

a measurement unit for measuring state information relating to a degree of degradation of the constitutive battery;

a transmitter for transmitting the identification information of the battery and measured value data obtained by the measurement unit;

a receiver for receiving the identification information and the measured value data transmitted from the transmitter;

a history record information storage unit for storing therein the measured value data received by the receiver as history record information in a manner that associates with the identification information of the battery; and

a decision unit for deciding a method of reusing the battery based on the history record information stored in the history record information storage unit,

wherein the decision unit includes;

a history record presence/absence decision unit for determining whether or not the history record information of the battery is stored in the history record information storage unit; and

a battery handling method decision unit configured to;

decide that the battery is unreusable when it is determined that the history record information of the battery is not stored in the history record information storage unit, and

determine whether or not the constitutive battery is reusable based on the history record information of the constitutive battery when it is determined that the history record information of the battery is stored in the history record information storage unit, and

the battery handling method decision unit is configured to;

decide to reuse the battery when it is determined that the battery is reusable, and

decide to recycle the battery when it is determined that the battery is unreusable.

18. The battery management system according to claim 17, wherein

the measurement unit is configured to measure at least a full charge capacity of the constitutive battery, and

the battery handling method decision unit is configured to determine that:

the constitutive battery is unreusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit and the full charge capacity is equal to or lower than a predefined reusability threshold of the full charge capacity, and

the constitutive battery is reusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit unless the constitutive battery is determined as unreusable.

19. The battery management system according to claim 17, wherein

the measurement unit is configured to measure at least internal resistance of the constitutive battery, and

the battery handling method decision unit is configured to determined that:

the constitutive battery is unreusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit and the internal resistance is equal to or more than a predefined reusability threshold of the internal resistance, and

the constitutive battery is reusable when it is determined that the history record information of the constitutive battery is stored in the history record information storage unit unless the constitutive battery is determined as unreusable.

20. A battery management apparatus includes:

a receiver for receiving identification information of a battery pack and measured value data of state information relating to a degree of degradation of each of constitutive batteries of the battery pack;

a history record information storage unit for storing therein the measured value data received by the receiver as history record information in a manner that associates with the identification information of the battery pack; and

a decision unit for deciding a method of reusing the battery pack or the constitutive batteries based on the history record information stored in the history record information storage unit,

wherein the decision unit includes;

a history record presence/absence decision unit for determining whether or not the history record information of the battery pack is stored in the history record information storage unit; and

a battery handling method decision unit configured to;

decide that the battery pack is unreusable when it is determined that the history record information of the battery pack is not stored in the history record information storage unit; and

determine whether or not the constitutive batteries of the battery pack are reusable based on the history record information of the constitutive batteries when it is determined that the history record information of the battery pack is stored in the history record information storage unit.

21. A battery management apparatus includes:

a receiver for receiving identification information of a battery having a constitutive battery cell and measured value data of state information relating to a degree of degradation of the constitutive battery;

a history record information storage unit for storing therein the measured value data received by the receiver as history record information in a manner that associates with the identification information of the battery; and

a decision unit for deciding a method of reusing the battery based on the history record information stored in the history record information storage unit,

wherein the decision unit includes;

a history record presence/absence decision unit for determining whether or not the history record information of the battery is stored in the history record information storage unit; and

a battery handling method decision unit configured to;

decide that the battery is unreusable when it is determined that the history record information of the battery is not stored in the history record information storage unit, and

determine whether or not the constitutive battery is reusable based on the history record information of the constitutive battery when it is determined that the history record information of the battery is stored in the history record information storage unit, and

the battery handling method decision unit is configured to;

decide to reuse the battery when it is determined that the battery is reusable, and

decide to recycle the battery when it is determined that the battery is unreusable.

22. A method of reusing battery includes steps of:

measuring state information relating to a degree of degradation of each of a plurality of constitutive batteries of a battery pack by using a measurement unit;

transmitting measured value data outside from a battery-mounted equipment by using a transmitter;

receiving the transmitted measured value data by using a receiver;

storing the received measured value data as history record information of the battery pack and the constitutive batteries in a history record information storage unit; and

deciding a method of handling the battery pack or the constitutive batteries based on the history record information by using a decision unit,

wherein the decision unit determines whether or not the history record information of the battery pack is stored in the history record information storage unit,

the decision unit decides that the battery pack is unreusable when it is determined that the history record information of the battery pack is not stored in the history record information storage unit, and

the decision unit determines whether or not the constitutive batteries of the battery pack are reusable based on the history record information of the constitutive batteries when it is determined that the history record information of the battery pack is stored in the history record information storage unit.

23. The method of reusing battery according to claim 22, wherein

the decision unit decides to reuse the battery pack when it is determined that all of the constitutive batteries of the battery pack are reusable,

the decision unit decides to recycle the battery pack when it is determined that none of the constitutive batteries of the battery pack is reusable, and

the decision unit decides to gather and combine reusable ones of the constitutive batteries of the battery pack in the form of a battery pack anew and to recycle the unreusable constitutive batteries, and

the constitutive batteries determined as reusable and reusable ones of constitutive batteries of a battery pack mounted on a battery-mounted equipment owned by a user are combined and used in a rebuilt battery pack when the decision unit decides to gather and combine reusable ones of the constitutive batteries of the battery pack in the form of a battery pack anew.

24. The method of reusing battery according to claim 23, wherein

a degree of degradation of each of the constitutive batteries combined with the constitutive batteries mounted on the battery-mounted equipment is equal to or lower than a degree of degradation of a most degraded one in reusable ones of the constitutive batteries mounted on the battery-mounted equipment.

25. An information communication terminal apparatus including:

a terminal transmitter for transmitting information to a battery management apparatus;

a terminal controller for requesting the battery management apparatus to decide a method of reusing a battery pack; and

a terminal receiver for receiving the information from the battery management apparatus,

wherein the battery management apparatus includes;

a history record information storage unit for storing therein identification information of a battery pack and measured value data of state information of constitutive batteries included in the battery pack as history record information associated with each other;

a history record presence/absence decision unit for determining whether or not the history record information of the battery pack is stored in the history record information storage unit; and

a battery handling method decision unit for determining whether or not the constitutive batteries of the battery pack are reusable based on the history record information of the constitutive batteries,

wherein the terminal receiver receives

a notice notifying of a decision not to use the battery pack determined as unreusable when it is determined that the history record information of the battery pack is not stored in the history record information storage unit, and

a notice notifying of a method of reusing the batteries decided by the battery handling method decision unit when it is determined that the history record information of the battery pack is stored in the history record information storage unit.