Used secondary battery module management system server, used secondary battery module management system external terminal, and used secondary battery module management system

A used secondary battery module management system server manages a manufacture of a battery assembly. The server stores, in a memory, a correspondence relationship of each of secondary battery modules among identification information, ranks, and status information. The server extracts an available rank from the ranks in response to a rebuilding request for the battery assembly. The available rank is a rank in which the number of the secondary battery modules having the status information indicating that the secondary battery modules are available is equal to or larger than the number of the secondary battery modules required to constitute the battery assembly. The server receives, from an external terminal, the identification information on each of selection secondary battery modules having an identical rank.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-006532 filed on Jan. 19, 2021 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-142270 filed on Sep. 1, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a used secondary battery module management system.

BACKGROUND

A battery assembly formed by combining a plurality of secondary battery modules has been widely used. The secondary battery modules deteriorate with the use of the battery assembly, but their degrees of deterioration vary from one secondary battery module to another. Therefore, even when the degrees of deterioration of some of the secondary battery modules in the battery assembly exceed a criterion, the battery assembly cannot be used as a whole. In such a case, usable secondary battery modules whose degrees of deterioration are low are taken out from the battery assembly to be reused. When a battery assembly is reconstituted, that is, rebuilt using used secondary battery modules, it is necessary to combine the secondary battery modules in consideration of the degree of deterioration of each secondary battery module. It is conceivable from the viewpoint of extending the life to combine secondary battery modules whose degrees of deterioration are equivalent to each other.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a used secondary battery module management system server that manages a manufacture of a battery assembly. The server stores, in a memory, a correspondence relationship of each of secondary battery modules among identification information, ranks, and status information. The server extracts an available rank from the ranks in response to a rebuilding request for the battery assembly. The available rank is a rank in which the number of the secondary battery modules having the status information indicating that the secondary battery modules are available is equal to or larger than the number of the secondary battery modules required to constitute the battery assembly. The server receives, from an external terminal, the identification information on each of selection secondary battery modules having an identical rank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For example, degrees of deterioration of a plurality of secondary battery modules are measured, the secondary battery modules are given ranks according to the degrees of deterioration, and a database is created in which information on the given ranks are stored for the respective secondary battery modules. It is possible by using the database to provide information on the secondary battery modules with the rank of the degree of deterioration according to a user's request for replacement of the secondary battery module of a battery assembly or for rebuilding a battery assembly.

However, the secondary battery modules constituting a battery assembly have the same standard, and it is extremely difficult to determine their deteriorated states or ranks given based on the deteriorated states from the appearances of the secondary battery modules. Therefore, there is a difficulty that when a user takes out from a plurality of groups of used secondary battery modules ranked in advance, the user may erroneously take out a secondary battery module different from a secondary battery module based on the information provided from the database. It is difficult for the user to notice this mistake. As a result, misassembly occurs in which a secondary battery module whose degree of deterioration does not meet the user's request is assembled to a battery assembly. As the number of the ranks of the secondary battery modules is larger, the possibility of the misassembly becomes higher. That is, when a battery assembly is rebuilt by selecting, from used secondary battery modules to which ranks have been given, secondary battery modules of a desired rank and assembling the battery assembly, there is a difficulty that the above-described misassembly occurs.

The present disclosure provides a used secondary battery module management system server, a used secondary battery module management system external terminal, and a used secondary battery module management system capable of preventing misassembly of a used secondary battery module.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a used secondary battery module management system server configured to manage a manufacture of a battery assembly. The used secondary battery module management system server includes a storage unit, an available rank extraction unit, an available rank transmission unit, an identification information reception unit, a determination unit, and a determination result transmission unit. The storage unit is configured to (i) store identification information on each of secondary battery modules used, rank information on ranks of the secondary battery modules based on a degree of deterioration of each of the secondary battery modules, and status information on a usage state of each of the secondary battery modules, and (ii) store a correspondence relationship of each of the secondary battery modules among the identification information, the rank information, and the status information. The available rank extraction unit is configured to extract an available rank form the ranks in response to a rebuilding request for the battery assembly. The available rank is a rank in which a number of the secondary battery modules included in the rank and having the status information that indicates that the secondary battery modules are available is equal to or larger than a number of the secondary battery modules required to constitute the battery assembly. The available rank transmission unit is configured to transmit the available rank to an external terminal. The identification information reception unit is configured to receive, from the external terminal, the identification information on each of selection secondary battery modules having an identical rank. The selection secondary battery modules is selected from the secondary battery modules to which the ranks have been given based on the available rank. The determination unit is configured to determine, based on the correspondence relationship stored in the storage unit, whether the identification information received by the identification information reception unit matches with the identification information on the secondary battery modules to which the identical rank included in the available rank has been given. The determination result transmission unit is configured to transmit, to the external terminal, a determination result in the determination unit.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a used secondary battery module management system external terminal configured to manage a manufacture of a battery assembly. The used secondary battery module management system external terminal includes an available rank reception unit, an available rank display unit, an identification information acquisition unit, an identification information transmission unit, a determination result reception unit, and a determination result output unit. The available rank reception unit is configured to receive an available rank from a server. The available rank is a rank included in ranks defined based on degrees of deterioration of secondary battery modules. The number of secondary battery modules that belongs to the available rank being equal to or larger than the number of secondary battery modules required to constitute a battery assembly required to be rebuilt. The available rank display unit is configured to display the available rank received by the available rank reception unit. The identification information acquisition unit is configured to acquire identification information on each of secondary battery modules selected, based on the available rank displayed on the available rank display unit, from the secondary battery modules to which the ranks are given in advance. The identification information transmission unit is configured to transmits, to the server, the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit. The determination result reception unit is configured to receive a determination result as to whether the identification information that has been transmitted matches with identification information on the secondary battery modules belonging to an identical rank in the available rank. The determination result output unit is configured to output the determination result received by the determination result reception unit.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a used secondary battery module management system that includes the used secondary battery module management system server and the used secondary battery module management system external terminal.

In the used secondary battery module management system server, an available rank, in which secondary battery modules whose number is equal to or larger than the number of the secondary battery modules required to constitute a battery assembly are available, is extracted in response to a rebuilding request for the battery assembly. Then, it is determined whether identification information on each of the secondary battery modules of the identical rank, selected based on the available rank from groups of the used battery modules to which ranks have been given, matches the identification information on the secondary battery module belonging to the identical rank in the available rank. As a result, misassembly of the secondary battery module can be prevented by determining whether the secondary battery module selected from the groups of the used secondary battery modules belongs to the same correct rank.

In the used secondary battery module management system external terminal, an available rank that is a rank in which the secondary battery modules whose number is equal to or larger than the number of the secondary battery modules required to constitute a battery assembly required to be rebuilt are available is received from the server, and the available rank is displayed. Then, the identification information on each of the secondary battery modules selected, based on the displayed available rank, from the groups of the used secondary battery modules to which ranks are given in advance is acquired and transmitted to the server. A determination result as to whether the transmitted identification information matches with the identification information on the secondary battery module belonging to the identical rank in the available rank is received, and the determination result is output. As a result, misassembly of the secondary battery module can be prevented by a user confirming in the external terminal whether the secondary battery module selected from the groups of the used secondary battery modules belongs to the same correct rank.

Since the used secondary battery module management system includes the used secondary battery module management system server and the used secondary battery module management system external terminal, misassembly of the secondary battery module can be prevented by determining with the server whether the secondary battery module selected from the groups of the used secondary battery modules belongs to the same correct rank and by a user confirming it in the external terminal.

First Embodiment

Embodiments of the used secondary battery module management system, the management system server, and the management system external terminal will be described with reference toFIGS.1to6.

As illustrated inFIG.1, a used secondary battery module management system100for manufacturing and managing a battery assembly in a first embodiment includes a used secondary battery module management system server1(hereinafter, also referred to as the “server1” in the present specification) and a used secondary battery module management system external terminal9(hereinafter, also referred to as the “external terminal9” in the present specification).

First, the server1according to the first embodiment includes a storage unit2, an available rank extraction unit31, an available rank transmission unit41, an identification information reception unit53, a determination unit32, and a determination result transmission unit43, as illustrated inFIG.1.

The storage unit2illustrated inFIG.1stores identification information on the used secondary battery module, ranks given based on the degrees of deterioration of the secondary battery modules, and status information on the usage states of the secondary battery modules, and stores correspondence relationships among the identification information, rank information, and the status information.

In response to a rebuilding request for a battery assembly, the available rank extraction unit31extracts a rank as an available rank Ra from the ranks. The available rank Ra is a rank in which the number of the secondary battery modules included in the rank is equal to or larger than the number of the secondary battery modules required to constitute the battery assembly and the status information of the secondary battery modules indicates that of the secondary battery modules are available

The available rank transmission unit41transmits the available rank Ra to the external terminal9.

The identification information reception unit53receives, from the external terminal9, the identification information on each of secondary battery modules M of an identical rank Rs selected, based on the available rank Ra, from the groups of the used battery modules to which the ranks have been given.

Based on the correspondence relationships stored in the storage unit2, the determination unit32determines whether the identification information received by the identification information reception unit53matches the identification information on the secondary battery modules belonging to the identical rank Rs in the available rank Ra.

The determination result transmission unit43transmits a determination result in the determination unit32to the external terminal9.

Hereinafter, the server1according to the first embodiment will be described in detail.

The server1includes, for example, a processor, a memory and the like and performs processing related to used secondary battery module management by executing a control program stored in the memory. The memory cited here is a non-transitory tangible storage medium non-temporarily storing computer-readable programs and data. The non-transitory tangible storage medium is implemented by a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like. The processor is also referred to as a server processor.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the server1according to the first embodiment includes the storage unit2, a processing unit3, a transmission unit4, and a reception unit5.

The storage unit2illustrated inFIG.1is provide by a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and includes an identification information storage unit21, a diagnosis date and time storage unit22, a rank information storage unit23, a status information storage unit24, a correspondence relationship storage unit25, and an available number storage unit26. The identification information storage unit21stores the identification information on the collected used secondary battery modules. The form of the identification information is not limited, and a manufacturing number or a two-dimensional code individually given to each of the secondary battery modules when manufactured can be adopted. In the first embodiment, a two-dimensional code that easily ensures high reading accuracy and display stability is adopted as the identification information. The identification information storage unit21can store the identification information on the used secondary battery modules when the used secondary battery modules are collected. In the first embodiment, the secondary battery modules M collected can be stored in a storage place R by being sorted into ranks R1to Rx to be described later, as illustrated inFIG.2.

The diagnosis date and time storage unit22illustrated inFIG.1stores, for each secondary battery module, date and time when the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery module is diagnosed. In the first embodiment, the degrees of deterioration of the used secondary battery modules collected are diagnosed by a battery diagnosis unit33included in the processing unit3to be described later, a rank is given to each secondary battery module by a rank giving unit34, and the date and time when the diagnose is performed is stored in the diagnosis date and time storage unit22. As illustrated inFIG.2, the secondary battery modules M are disposed such that in the storage place R, the secondary battery module with older diagnosis date and time is more preferentially and easily taken out for each rank and a secondary battery module Mo with the oldest diagnosis date and time is first taken out.

The rank information storage unit23illustrated inFIG.1stores information on a rank given, by the rank giving unit34to be described later, to each used secondary battery module according to the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery module. In the present embodiment, the ranks R1to Rx are set according to the degrees of deterioration, and the ranks R1to Rx are stored as the rank information, as illustrated inFIG.3. As the rank information, the diagnosis date and time for the secondary battery module Mo with the oldest diagnosis date and time for secondary battery module is stored, for each rank, as specific diagnosis date and time.

The status information storage unit24illustrated inFIG.1stores status information on the usage state of the secondary battery module. The status information indicates what state the secondary battery module is in. The status information includes, for example, an available state in which the secondary battery module is stored in the storage place, a tentatively reserved state in which the secondary battery module is selected from a group of the secondary battery modules included in a selected rank to be described later, and an assembled state in which the secondary battery module is assembled to a battery assembly.

The correspondence relationship storage unit25illustrated inFIG.1stores correspondence relationships among the identification information on the secondary battery module stored in the identification information storage unit21, the rank information stored in the rank information storage unit23, and the status information stored in the status information storage unit24. In the present embodiment, the correspondence relationship storage unit25stores correspondence relationships among rank information Rn, identification information Mn, and status information St, as illustrated inFIG.3. In the first embodiment, the correspondence relationship storage unit25also stores the diagnosis date and time for every secondary battery module.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the available number storage unit26illustrated inFIG.1stores, for each rank, the number of the secondary battery modules belonging to each of the ranks R1to Rx as an available number (An).

The processing unit3illustrated inFIG.1is provided by a predetermined arithmetic device, and includes the available rank extraction unit31, the determination unit32, the battery diagnosis unit33, the rank giving unit34, and an update unit35. In response to a rebuilding request to be described later, the available rank extraction unit31extracts the available rank Ra in which the secondary battery modules whose number is equal to or larger than the number of the secondary battery modules required to constitute a battery assembly are available. That is, by referring to the available numbers An stored in the available number storage unit26and illustrated inFIG.3, the available rank extraction unit31extracts, as the available rank Ra, a rank in which the available number An is equal to or larger than the number of the secondary battery modules required to constitute a battery assembly. It is preferable that the available rank extraction unit31extracts more preferentially a rank with older specific diagnosis date and time to be described. Note that “extract more preferentially a rank with older specific diagnosis date and time” means that when the ranks are sequentially extracted, a rank with older specific diagnosis date and time is extracted more preferentially. Note that the battery assembly is formed by combining a plurality of the secondary battery modules and is also referred to as a battery pack. The numbers of the secondary battery modules required to constitute battery assembly are set in advance for the respective battery assembly.

Based on the correspondence relationships stored in the correspondence relationship storage unit25, the determination unit32illustrated inFIG.1determines whether the identification information received by the identification information reception unit53to be described later matches the identification information Mn on the secondary battery module belonging to the identical rank Rs in the available rank Ra illustrated inFIG.3.

In the first embodiment, the determination unit32illustrated inFIG.1further determines whether the diagnosis date and time of the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery module selected based on the available rank is within a predetermined period. The predetermined period can be appropriately set, and can be set based on, for example, a period when there is a risk that the used secondary battery module may be over discharged due to self-discharge during storage, or a period when there is a risk that the rank may be changed due to a deterioration in battery performance during storage.

In the first embodiment, the determination unit32illustrated inFIG.1further determines whether the secondary battery modules selected based on the available rank Ra include the secondary battery module Mo with the oldest diagnosis date and time of the degree of deterioration in the rank Rs to which the secondary battery modules belong. Alternatively, the determination unit32may further determine whether the secondary battery modules selected based on the available rank Ra are selected in chronological order of the diagnosis date and time of the degree of deterioration in the rank Rs to which the secondary battery modules belong.

The battery diagnosis unit33illustrated inFIG.1diagnoses the degree of deterioration of the collected secondary battery module. The diagnosis method is not limited, and a publicly known method can be used. In the first embodiment, the battery diagnosis unit33diagnoses the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery module based on a battery characteristic related to a transition of a battery state in a predetermined voltage section of the secondary battery module. The battery characteristic of the secondary battery module can be a characteristic based on, for example, a voltage transition or temperature transition in a predetermined voltage section of the secondary battery module. The voltage transition can be calculated based on, for example, at least one of battery information such as a section capacity in a predetermined voltage section of the secondary battery module, a ratio of a voltage change of the secondary battery module to a capacity change of the secondary battery module in a predetermined voltage section, and a ratio of a voltage change of the secondary battery module to an elapsed time in a predetermined voltage section. The predetermined voltage section can be a voltage section in which the degree of deterioration and the transition of the battery state of the secondary battery module show a correlation relationship. Such a voltage section can be set based on the type or configuration of the secondary battery module, or can be created by machine learning based on training data acquired in advance. The predetermined voltage section for acquiring the battery characteristic of the secondary battery module can be set or appropriately changed for each secondary battery module. It may be set to a section in which full capacity is acquired. Alternatively, a discharge voltage characteristic or a charge voltage characteristic may be used as the battery characteristic.

In the first embodiment, the battery diagnosis unit33estimates the full capacity based on the battery characteristic. The full capacity can be estimated using a correspondence relationship between the battery characteristic and the full capacity. The correspondence relationship can be in the form of a regression equation, a map, a graph, a table, or the like created by machine learning based on the training data acquired in advance. When the regression equation is used as a prediction model, for example, linear regression, LASSO regression, Ridge regression, decision tree, or support vector regression can be used. Then, the battery diagnosis unit33in the first embodiment compares an estimation result of the full capacity of the used secondary battery module based on the battery characteristic with an estimated value derived from an estimation equation for estimating the full capacity of the secondary battery module stored in advance, and determines the degree of deterioration of the used secondary battery module.

Note that the diagnosis of the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery module by the battery diagnosis unit33is not limited thereto. The diagnosis may be performed by charging and discharging the secondary battery module with a device provided in a vehicle or the like or with a charging and discharging machine provided outside a vehicle while the secondary battery module is mounted on the vehicle or the like in the form of a battery assembly. Alternatively, it may be performed by charging and discharging the secondary battery module with a charging and discharging machine provided outside a vehicle in the form of a battery assembly unloaded from the vehicle or the like or in the form of an individual secondary battery module after being taken out from a battery assembly.

The rank giving unit34illustrated inFIG.1give a rank to the secondary battery module based on a diagnosis result in the battery diagnosis unit33. In the first embodiment, the ranks R1to Rx are given to the respective secondary battery modules, as illustrated inFIG.3. The number of the ranks and the criteria for ranking are not particularly limited, and can be appropriately set.

When receiving a selected rank Rs from the external terminal9to be described later, the update unit35illustrated inFIG.1updates the available number of the secondary battery modules in the selected rank Rs, the available number being stored in the available number storage unit26, to a number obtained by subtracting the number of the secondary battery modules required to constitute a battery assembly, as illustrated inFIG.3. When receiving, from the external terminal9to be described later, the identification information on the secondary battery module selected from the selected rank Rs, the update unit35updates the corresponding status information stored in the status information storage unit24to the tentatively reserved state based on the correspondence relationships between the identification information and the status information stored in the correspondence relationship storage unit25, as illustrated inFIG.3. Furthermore, when all the determination results in the determination unit32are affirmative, the update unit35updates the status information on the secondary battery module selected as described above, the status information being stored in the status information storage unit24, to the assembled state. In addition, when a stop instruction reception unit54to be described later receives a stop instruction to stop the rebuilding from the external terminal9, the update unit35updates the available number of the secondary battery modules stored in the available number storage unit26by returning to the state before the update, and updates the status information on the secondary battery module selected as described above, the status information being stored in the status information storage unit24, by returning to the available state.

The transmission unit4and the reception unit5illustrated inFIG.1is provided by arithmetic devices that are connected to a communication network200in a wired or wireless manner and can transmit and receive data. The transmission unit4includes the available rank transmission unit41, an assembly information transmission unit42, and the determination result transmission unit43. The available rank transmission unit41transmits, to the external terminal9, the available rank Ra that is illustrated inFIG.2and extracted by the available rank extraction unit31and the specific diagnosis date and time stored in the rank information storage unit23. The assembly information transmission unit42transmits, to the external terminal9, assembly information on the secondary battery module belonging to the selected rank Rs. The assembly information includes information on the rank of the secondary battery modules to be assembled, parts other than the secondary battery modules constituting a battery assembly, an assembly procedure, and the like. The determination result transmission unit43transmits a determination result by the determination unit32to the external terminal9.

The reception unit5illustrated inFIG.1includes a rebuilding request reception unit51, a selected rank reception unit52, the identification information reception unit53, and the stop instruction reception unit54. The rebuilding request reception unit51receives, from the external terminal9, the rebuilding request for a battery assembly input to the external terminal9. The selected rank reception unit52receives, from the external terminal9, the selected rank Rs that is a rank selected from the available rank Ra in the external terminal9. The identification information reception unit53receives, from the external terminal9, the identification information on the secondary battery module. The stop instruction reception unit54receives, from the external terminal9, an instruction to stop the assembly of a battery assembly.

Next, the external terminal9in the first embodiment will be described. As illustrated inFIG.1, the external terminal9is connected to the server1via the communication network200in a wired or wireless manner. A plurality of the external terminals9can be simultaneously connected to the server1.

The external terminal9includes, for example, a processor, a memory and the like and performs processing related to used secondary battery module management by executing a control program stored in the memory. The memory cited here is a non-transitory tangible storage medium non-temporarily storing computer-readable programs and data. The non-transitory tangible storage medium is implemented by a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like. The processor is also referred to as a terminal processor.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the external terminal9has an available rank reception unit951, an available rank display unit961, an identification information acquisition unit973, an identification information transmission unit943, a determination result reception unit953, and a determination result output unit963.

The available rank reception unit951receives, of the ranks defined based on the degrees of deterioration of the secondary battery modules, the available rank Ra that is a rank in which the secondary battery modules whose number is equal to or larger than the number of the secondary battery modules required to constitute a battery assembly required to be rebuilt are available, from the server.

The available rank display unit961displays the available rank Ra received by the available rank reception unit951.

Based on the available rank Ra displayed on the available rank display unit961, the identification information acquisition unit973acquires the identification information on each of the secondary battery modules selected from the used secondary battery modules to which the ranks are given in advance.

The identification information transmission unit943transmits, to the server1, the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit973.

The determination result reception unit953receives a determination result as to whether the identification information transmitted by the identification information transmission unit943matches the identification information on the secondary battery module belonging to the identical rank Rs in the available rank Ra.

The determination result output unit963outputs the determination result received by the determination result reception unit953.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the external terminal9will be described in detail.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the external terminal9includes a transmission unit94, a reception unit95, a display output unit96, and an acquisition input unit97.

The transmission unit94and the reception unit95include arithmetic units that are connected to the communication network200in a wired or wireless manner and can transmit and receive data. In the first embodiment, the transmission unit94includes a rebuilding request transmission unit941, a selected rank transmission unit942, and a stop instruction transmission unit944in addition to the identification information transmission unit943described above. The rebuilding request transmission unit941transmits, to the server1, a rebuilding request input to a rebuilding request input unit971to be described later. The selected rank transmission unit942transmits, to the server, the selected rank Rs selected from the available rank Ra displayed on the available rank display unit961. A user can input the rebuilding request and select the selected rank Rs via the external terminal9. The stop instruction transmission unit944transmits, to the server1, a stop instruction based on a determination by a user to stop the rebuilding of a battery assembly.

The reception unit95illustrated inFIG.1includes an assembly information reception unit952in addition to the available rank reception unit951and the determination result reception unit953described above. The assembly information reception unit952receives, from the server1, assembly information on the secondary battery modules belonging to the selected rank Rs. Note that the transmission unit94and the reception unit95may be able to transmit and receive all information between the server1and the external terminal9.

The display output unit96illustrated inFIG.1provides information in a form in which a user can acquire and understand the information, and includes a display that displays and outputs information, a printer that outputs information by printing on paper, and the like. The display output unit96has an assembly information output unit962in addition to the available rank display unit961and the determination result output unit963described above. The available rank display unit961, the assembly information output unit962, and the determination result output unit963may display information with a display or may print information with a printer. In the first embodiment, the available rank display unit961displays information with a display, and the assembly information output unit962and the determination result output unit963print information with a printer.

In the first embodiment, the available rank display unit961is configured such that: the diagnosis date and time for the secondary battery module Mo with the oldest diagnosis date and time of the degree of deterioration among those of the degrees of deterioration of the secondary battery modules included in each of the ranks R1to Rx is specified for each of the ranks R1to Rx; and a rank with older specified diagnosis date and time is displayed more preferentially. After the specified diagnosis date and time, extracted together with the available rank Ra by the available rank extraction unit31, is received, it can be used as the specific diagnosis date and time. In the available rank display unit961, “a rank with older specified diagnosis date and time is displayed more preferentially” means that a rank with older specified diagnosis date and time is displayed such that a user can easily understand it. For example, the rank with the oldest specified diagnosis date and time can be displayed at the top, and the ranks other than that are displayed thereafter in chronological order of the specified diagnosis date and time. Alternatively, only the rank with the oldest specified diagnosis date and time may be first displayed, and when a user performs an operation to display the ranks other than the rank with the oldest specified diagnosis date and time, the ranks other than that may be displayed in chronological order of the specified diagnosis date and time. Note that the display output unit96may include a display unit that displays other information.

The acquisition input unit97illustrated inFIG.1includes a device to which a user can input information. The acquisition input unit97has a rebuilding request input unit971and a selected rank input unit972in addition to the identification information acquisition unit973described above The rebuilding request input unit971is configured to allow a user to input a rebuilding request, and the rebuilding request includes information on a battery assembly to be rebuilt. The form of the rebuilding request input unit971is not limited, and an input device, to which, for example, the model number of or the identification information on the battery assembly can be input, can be adopted.

The selected rank input unit972illustrated inFIG.1is configured such that a user can select, as the selected rank Rs, one rank from the available rank Ra displayed on the available rank display unit961. Since the rank with the oldest specified diagnosis date and time is preferentially displayed on the available rank display unit961, as described above, a user is usually urged to select, from the displayed available rank Ra, the rank with the oldest specified diagnosis date and time as the selected rank Rs.

The identification information acquisition unit973illustrated inFIG.1acquires, based on the selected rank Rs in the available rank Ra, the identification information on each of the necessary number of the secondary battery modules taken out from the group of the secondary battery modules sorted into a rank matching the selected rank Rs in the storage place R. As described above, the identification information can be, for example, a two-dimensional code, and in this case, the acquisition of the identification information can be performed by a two-dimensional code reader.

In taking out an available secondary battery module from a used battery assembly and storing it, an acceptance terminal8connected to the server1can be used as illustrated inFIG.4. As illustrated inFIG.4, the acceptance terminal8includes an accepted information transmission unit81, an acceptance inspection unit82, a work procedures manual reception unit83, a module information transmission unit84, a rank information reception unit85, a module inspection unit86, and an inspection result display unit87.

The accepted information transmission unit81illustrated inFIG.4transmits, to the server1, accepted information on a used battery assembly. As acceptance processing, information on a battery assembly is transmitted to the server1. The information on a battery assembly can be the identification information on the battery assembly, the information on a device on which the battery assembly is mounted, or the vehicle information on a vehicle when the battery assembly is mounted thereon. The vehicle information can include the model of the vehicle, travel information, a failure history, used areas, and the like. The server1stores the received information on a battery assembly in a predetermined storage unit (not illustrated).

The acceptance inspection unit82illustrated inFIG.4inspects the accepted battery assembly and transmits an inspection result to the server1. In the inspection, it is inspected whether there is damage, such as external damage or a missing part, in the battery assembly. The battery assembly determined not to be damaged is disassembled according to a procedure manual received from the server1by the work procedures manual reception unit83. Then, the module information transmission unit84transmits information on the secondary battery module to the server1. In the server1, the battery diagnosis unit33diagnoses the degree of deterioration, and the rank giving unit34performs ranking. The rank information reception unit85receives, from the server1, the rank information including a rank. The module inspection unit86inspects whether there is a defect in the secondary battery module to which the rank has been given. The inspection result display unit87displays an inspection result in the module inspection unit86. Referring to the inspection result, a user stores the secondary battery module by sorting into the corresponding one of the ranks R1to Rx in the storage place R.

Next, a flow of accepting and storing the used secondary battery module in the used secondary battery module management system according to the first embodiment will be described below.

First, a used battery pack is accepted in a step S1, as illustrated inFIG.5. The used battery pack can be, for example, what is mounted on a vehicle. Next, in a step S2, the accepted information transmission unit81of the acceptance terminal8transmits the accepted information to the server1, and the server1stores the accepted information.

Thereafter, in a step S3ofFIG.5, the acceptance inspection unit82of the acceptance terminal8performs acceptance inspection on the battery assembly. When it is determined in the step S3that the battery assembly is unacceptable, the flow proceeds to No in the step S3. In a step S4, the accepted battery assembly is discarded. On the other hand, when it is determined in the step S3that the battery assembly is acceptable, the flow proceeds to Yes in the step S3. In a step S5, the work procedures manual reception unit83receives a work procedures manual from the server1. Then, in a step S6, the accepted battery assembly is disassembled according to the work procedures manual and the secondary battery module is taken out. In a step S7, the module information transmission unit84transmits, to the server1, the information on the secondary battery module. The server1stores, of the received information on the secondary battery module, the identification information in the identification information storage unit21, and stores the information on other parts in a storage unit (not illustrated).

Next, in a step S8illustrated inFIG.5, the battery diagnosis unit33of the server1diagnoses the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery module, and the rank giving unit34performs ranking. Thereafter, the secondary battery module is charged. Then, in a step S9, the rank information reception unit85of the acceptance terminal8receives, from the server1, the rank information including the rank. Thereafter, in a step S10, the module inspection unit86inspects the secondary battery module, and transmits the inspection result to the server1. When the secondary battery module is damaged, it is determined that the secondary battery module is unacceptable, and the flow proceeds to No in the step S10. In a step S11, the secondary battery module is discarded. On the other hand, when the secondary battery module is not damaged, it is determined that the secondary battery module is acceptable, and the flow proceeds to Yes in the step S10. In a step S12, the secondary battery module is stored by being sorted into the corresponding one of the ranks R1to Rx in the storage place R, as illustrated inFIG.2. In the storage place R, the secondary battery modules are disposed such that the secondary battery module Mo with the oldest diagnosis date and time for a secondary battery module is preferentially and easily taken out for each rank. Note that usable parts, taken out by disassembling the discarded battery assembly and secondary battery module, may be reused.

In the step S12illustrated inFIG.5, the server1stores, in the correspondence relationship storage unit25, a correspondence relationship between the identification information on and the rank of the secondary battery module determined to be acceptable, and stores, in the diagnosis date and time storage unit22, the diagnosis date and time of the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery module. In addition, the available number of the secondary battery modules for each rank, stored in the available number storage unit26, is updated by adding the number of the accepted secondary battery modules.

Next, a flow of rebuilding a battery assembly in the used secondary battery module management system100according to the first embodiment will be described below.

When a request for rebuilding the battery assembly occurs, a user first inputs a rebuilding request to the rebuilding request input unit971of the external terminal9in a step S20, as illustrated inFIG.6. Then, the rebuilding request is transmitted from the rebuilding request transmission unit941of the external terminal9, which is received by the rebuilding request reception unit51of the server1. The flow proceeds to a step S21. In response to the rebuilding request received in the server1, the available rank extraction unit31extracts the available rank Ra in which the secondary battery modules whose number is equal to or larger than the number of the secondary battery modules required to constitute the battery assembly are available. When the number of the secondary battery modules required to constitute the battery assembly is, for example, five, the ranks R1to R4illustrated inFIG.3are extracted as the available rank Ra. The available rank Ra is extracted in chronological order of the specific diagnosis date and time stored in the rank information storage unit23. The extracted available rank Ra and the specific diagnosis date and time are transmitted to the external terminal9by the available rank transmission unit41of the server1.

Then, in a step S22illustrated inFIG.6, the available rank reception unit951of the external terminal9receives the available rank Ra and the specific diagnosis date and time, and the available rank display unit961displays the available rank Ra. In the available rank display unit961, the ranks R1to R4included in the available rank Ra are displayed in chronological order of the specific diagnosis date and time. In a step S23, a user can select, based on the display and from the available rank Ra, the rank R1with older specific diagnosis date and time as the selected rank Rs.

Thereafter, in a step S24illustrated inFIG.6, the selected rank transmission unit942of the external terminal9transmits the selected rank Rs, which is a rank selected from the available rank Ra by a user, to the server1. The selected rank reception unit52of the server1receives the selected rank. Then, in a step S25, the update unit35of the server1updates the available number of the secondary battery modules of the selected rank Rs stored in the available number storage unit26to a number obtained by subtracting the number of the secondary battery modules required to constitute the battery assembly. That is, the available number is updated to a number obtained by subtracting 5, which is the number of the secondary battery modules required to constitute the battery assembly, from 10, which is the available number of the rank R1that is the selected rank Rs, as illustrated inFIG.3.

Then, in a step S26, the assembly information transmission unit42of the server1transmits the assembly information on the secondary battery module to the external terminal9. The assembly information reception unit952of the external terminal9receives the assembly information. Thereafter, in a step S27, the assembly information output unit962of the external terminal9prints and outputs the assembly information. Then, in a step S28, the necessary number of the secondary battery modules belonging to the selected rank Rs (i.e., rank R1) are selected and taken out in order from top to bottom from the storage place R.

Thereafter, in a step S29illustrated inFIG.6, tentative assembly of the secondary battery modules is performed according to the assembly information. Note that the tentative assembly means that the secondary battery modules are brought into a state in which they are assembled with each other and ready to be housed in the case of the battery assembly. In the state of the tentative assembly, replacement of the secondary battery modules is easier than in a state in which the secondary battery modules have been housed in the case of the battery assembly.

Then, in a step S30, the identification information acquisition unit973of the external terminal9reads a two-dimensional code, which is the identification information on the selected (i.e., the tentatively assembled) secondary battery module. The identification information transmission unit943transmits the identification information read to the server1. Then, in a step S31, the identification information reception unit53of the server1receives the identification information. Based on this, the update unit35updates the status information stored in the status information storage unit24, corresponding to the identification information, from the available state to the tentatively reserved state. Thereafter, in a step S32, the determination unit32of the server1determines whether by referring to the correspondence relationship storage unit25, the identification information received by the identification information reception unit53matches the identification information on the secondary battery module belonging to the identical rank (i.e., the selected rank Rs) in the available rank Ra. The determination unit32further determines whether the diagnosis date and time of the degree of deterioration of the tentatively assembled secondary battery module is within a predetermined period. The determination unit32further determines whether the tentatively assembled secondary battery modules includes the secondary battery module with the oldest diagnosis date and time of the degree of deterioration in the rank Rs to which the secondary battery modules belong. Alternatively, it may be further determined whether the secondary battery modules are used in chronological order of the diagnosis date and time of the degree of deterioration in the rank Rs to which the secondary battery modules belong.

When all the determination results in the step S32illustrated inFIG.6are affirmative, that is, when it is determined that: the identification information received by the identification information reception unit53matches the identification information on the secondary battery module belonging to the selected rank Rs; the diagnosis date and time of the degree of deterioration of the tentatively assembled secondary battery module is within a predetermined period; and the tentatively assembled secondary battery modules include the secondary battery module with the oldest diagnosis date and time of the degree of deterioration in the rank Rs to which the secondary battery modules belong or they are used in chronological order of the diagnosis date and time, the flow proceeds to Yes in the step S32.

Then, in a step S33, the update unit35of the server1updates the status information stored in the status information storage unit24, corresponding to the identification information, from the tentatively reserved state to the assembled state. Thereafter, in a step S34, the determination result transmission unit43of the server1transmits a determination result to the external terminal9. The determination result reception unit953of the external terminal9receives the determination result. Then, the determination result output unit963of the external terminal9prints and outputs the determination result.

Next, in a step S35illustrated inFIG.6, the tentatively assembled secondary battery modules are housed in the case of the battery assembly and other parts are attached according to the assembly information, whereby the battery assembly is created. Thereafter, the flow proceeds to a step S36, where a completion inspection is performed on the completed battery assembly. The completion inspection can be performed by an inspection device (not illustrated). Then, the flow proceeds to Yes in the step S36when the completion inspection is cleared. An inspection result is transmitted to the server1in a step S37, and this flow is ended. When the completion inspection in the step S36is not cleared, the flow proceeds to No in the step S36, where the step S35is performed again.

On the other hand, when the determination result includes a negation in the step S32illustrated inFIG.6, the flow proceeds to No in the step S32. In a step S38, the determination result transmission unit43of the server1transmits the determination result to the external terminal9, which is received by the determination result reception unit953of the external terminal9. Then, the determination result output unit963of the external terminal9prints and outputs the determination result, showing a user that the selected secondary battery modules include an inappropriate one. In response to this, the user determines in a step S39whether to stop the assembly of the battery assembly. When it is determined in the step S39that the assembly of the battery assembly is not to be stopped, the flow proceeds to Yes in the step S39. The user selects the secondary battery module from the selected rank Rs in the step S28again, and performs the subsequent steps.

On the other hand, when the user determines in the step S39illustrated inFIG.6that the rebuilding of the battery assembly is to be stopped, the stop instruction transmission unit944of the external terminal9transmits to the server1a stop instruction for the rebuilding, which is received by the stop instruction reception unit54of the server1. Then, in a step S40, the update unit35re-updates the available number of the secondary battery modules stored in the available number storage unit26by returning to the state before the update, and re-updates the status information stored in the status information storage unit24, corresponding to the secondary battery module, by returning from the tentatively reserved state to the available state. The secondary battery module is returned to the storage place R, and the flow is ended.

Next, operational effects in the used secondary battery module management system server1according to the first embodiment will be described in detail.

According to the server1of the first embodiment, the available rank Ra in which the secondary battery modules whose number is equal to or larger than the number of the secondary battery modules required to constitute the battery assembly are available is extracted in response to a rebuilding request for the battery assembly. Then, it is determined whether the identification information on each of the secondary battery modules of the identical rank Rs selected, based on the available rank Ra, from the groups of the used battery modules to which the ranks have been given matches the identification information on the secondary battery module belonging to the identical rank Rs in the available rank. As a result, it can be determined whether the secondary battery module selected from the groups of the used battery modules belongs to the same correct rank Rs, so that misassembly of the secondary battery module can be prevented.

In the server1according to the first embodiment, the determination unit32further determines whether the diagnosis date and time of the degree of deterioration of each of the secondary battery modules selected based on the available rank Ra is within a predetermined period. As a result, a secondary battery module that is in an over-discharged state due to self-discharge of secondary battery module during its storage period can be prevented from being used. By preventing a secondary battery module in an over-discharged state from being included in a battery assembly, the performance of the battery assembly can be maintained. In addition, a secondary battery module with a rank changed due to a deterioration during its storage period can be prevented from being assembled.

In the server1according to the first embodiment, the determination unit32further determines: whether the secondary battery modules selected based on the available rank Ra include the secondary battery module with the oldest diagnosis date and time of the degree of deterioration in the rank Rs to which the secondary battery modules belong; or whether the secondary battery modules selected based on the available rank are sequentially selected in chronological order of the diagnosis date and time of the degree of deterioration in a rank to which the secondary battery modules belong. As a result, the secondary battery module with the oldest diagnosis date and time can be reused first and preferentially, so that the secondary battery module can be prevented from being in an over-discharged state during its storage period. In particular, when the number of the secondary battery modules required to constitute a battery assembly is large, it may take time to prepare the necessary number of the secondary battery modules. In such a case, the secondary battery module is likely to be in an over-discharged state during its storage period or in a deteriorated state during its storage. However, by adopting the above configuration, the secondary battery module can be suppressed from being in an over-discharged state during its storage period or in a deteriorated state during its storage even when the number of the secondary battery modules required to constitute a battery assembly is large, so that cost can be reduced.

In addition, in the server1according to the first embodiment, the rank information storage unit23stores, for each rank, a specific diagnosis date and time, which is the oldest diagnosis date and time among those of the degrees of deterioration of the secondary battery modules included in the rank Ra. The available rank extraction unit31extracts more preferentially a rank with older specific diagnosis date and time. As a result, the secondary battery modules can be sequentially reused in chronological order of the diagnosis date and time, so that the secondary battery module can be suppressed from being in an over-discharged state during its storage period or in a deteriorated state during its storage, similarly to the above.

The server1according to the first embodiment has the selected rank reception unit52that receives the selected rank Rs selected from the available rank Ra, and the assembly information transmission unit42that transmits, to the external terminal9, the assembly information on each of the secondary battery modules belonging to the selected rank Rs. As a result, information necessary for assembling the secondary battery module can be presented to a user at an appropriate timing, so that assembly work can be made more efficient.

The server1according to the first embodiment has the update unit35that updates the information stored in the storage unit2. The storage unit2has the available number storage unit26that stores the number of the secondary battery modules included in each rank, the status information on which indicate that they are available, as the available number of the secondary battery modules for each rank. The available rank extraction unit31extracts the available rank Ra based on the available numbers stored in the available number storage unit26. When receiving the selected rank Rs from the external terminal9, the update unit35updates the available number of the secondary battery modules in the selected rank Rs to a number obtained by subtracting the number of the secondary battery modules required to constitute a battery assembly. As a result, the available number of the secondary battery modules is updated at a timing when the selected rank Rs before completion of the battery assembly is determined. As a result, when a plurality of the external terminals9are connected to the server1, and when the available number for the selected rank Rs is updated, for example, in a first external terminal9, the available number for the rank is also updated in a second external terminal9, so that the available number can be accurately displayed in the second external terminal9.

In the server1according to the first embodiment, the update unit35updates the status information on the selected secondary battery modules to the assembled state when all the determination results in the determination unit32are affirmative. On the other hand, when it is determined to stop the rebuilding, the available number of the secondary battery modules stored in the available number storage unit26is updated by returning to the state before the update, and the status information on the selected secondary battery modules are updated to the available state. As a result, the status information on the secondary battery modules is updated when it is confirmed that the secondary battery modules will be reused in a battery assembly. When the rebuilding of the battery assembly is stopped, the available number is returned to the state before the update and the status information are updated, whereby the actually available secondary battery modules can be kept up to date.

The server1according to the first embodiment has the battery diagnosis unit33that diagnoses the degrees of deterioration of used secondary battery modules, and the rank giving unit34that gives the ranks R1to Rx to the secondary battery modules based on the diagnosis results in the battery diagnosis unit33. As a result, the secondary battery module can be ranked without separately preparing a diagnostic device.

In the server1according to the first embodiment, the battery diagnosis unit33diagnoses the degree of deterioration of a secondary battery module based on a battery characteristic related to the transition of the battery state in the predetermined voltage section of the secondary battery module. As a result, the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery module can be diagnosed in a short time and with high accuracy.

In the server1according to the first embodiment, the identification information is given when the used secondary battery module is manufactured. This eliminates the need to newly create identification information, thereby improving workability.

Operational effects by the used secondary battery module management system external terminal9in the first embodiment will be described in detail below.

The external terminal9according to the first embodiment receives, from the server1, the available rank Ra that is a rank in which the secondary battery modules whose number is equal to or larger than the number of the secondary battery modules required to constitute a battery assembly required to be rebuilt are available, and displays the available rank Ra. Then, the identification information on each of the secondary battery modules selected, based on the displayed available rank Ra, from the groups of the used secondary battery modules to which the ranks are given in advance is acquired and transmitted to the server1; a determination result as to whether the transmitted identification information matches the identification information on the secondary battery module belonging to the identical rank Rs in the available rank Ra is received; and the determination result is output. As a result, a user can confirm in the external terminal9whether the secondary battery module selected from the groups of the used secondary battery modules belongs to the same correct rank Rs, so that misassembly of the secondary battery module can be prevented.

In the external terminal9according to the first embodiment, the available rank display unit961specifies, for each rank, the oldest diagnosis date and time among those of the degrees of deterioration of the secondary battery modules included in each of the ranks R1to Rx, and displays more preferentially a rank with older specified diagnosis date and time. As a result, the secondary battery module with the oldest diagnosis date and time can be reused preferentially, so that it is possible to suppress the secondary battery module from being in an over-discharged state during its storage period or the rank from being changed due to a deterioration in battery performance during its storage.

The external terminal9according to the first embodiment has a selected rank transmission unit942that transmits, to the server1, the selected rank Rs selected from the available rank Ra displayed on the available rank display unit961, an assembly information reception unit952that receives, from the server1, the assembly information on the secondary battery module belonging to the selected rank Rs, and an assembly information output unit962that outputs the assembly information received by the assembly information reception unit952. As a result, information necessary for assembling the secondary battery module can be presented to a user at an appropriate timing, so that assembly work can be made more efficient.

In the external terminal9according to the first embodiment, the identification information acquisition unit973acquires, as the identification information on the secondary battery module, the identification information given when the secondary battery module is manufactured. This eliminates the need to use new identification information, thereby improving workability.

The used secondary battery module management system100according to the first embodiment includes the used secondary battery module management system server1and the used secondary battery module management system external terminal9. As a result, both the operational effects by the server1and the operational effects by the external terminal9described above can be achieved, so that misassembly of the secondary battery module can be prevented.

In the first embodiment, it is designed such that when the completion inspection is not cleared in the step S36illustrated inFIG.6, the flow proceeds to No in the step S36and the step S35is performed again. Alternatively, it may be designed such that: when the completion inspection is not cleared in the step S36, a user determines whether to stop the rebuilding; when it is determined that the building is to be stopped, the flow proceeds to the step S40, not to the step S35from No in the step S36, in order to return the available number and return the status information to the available state; and the secondary battery module is returned to the storage place R.

In addition, in the first embodiment, it is designed such that after tentative assembly is performed in the step S29, the identification information is read and transmitted in the step S30and the step S32and the subsequent steps are performed, as illustrated inFIG.6. As a result, the secondary battery module can be suppressed from being erroneously replaced with another secondary battery module after the identification information is transmitted, so that misassembly can be further prevented. Alternatively, it may be designed such that the steps S30to S34are performed without performing the tentative assembly in the step S29and a battery assembly is created in the step S35. In this case, the tentative assembly is not performed, so that when the secondary battery module is selected again in the step S28in the case where the determination result includes a negation in the step S32, it is not necessary to release the tentative assembly. As a result, it can be expected that workability will be improved.

Note that the server1and the external terminal9may be configured by combining individual devices having the respective configurations, and the individual devices may be disposed in different places. In the server1, for example, the battery diagnosis unit33, the rank giving unit34, and the storage unit2may be configured by separate devices and may be disposed in different places. For example, it may be designed such that: after the battery diagnosis unit33diagnoses the degree of deterioration of a battery including battery assembly while the battery is mounted on a vehicle in a vehicle dealer or the like, the diagnosis result and the battery main body are sent to another location; the battery is disassembled in the another location, and the rank giving unit34gives a rank to each secondary battery module; and the storage unit2stores correspondence relationships between the identification information on and the rank of the secondary battery module.

According to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide the used secondary battery module management system server1, the used secondary battery module management system external terminal9, and the used secondary battery module management system100that are capable of preventing misassembly of the used secondary battery module, as described above.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment described above, the server1includes the battery diagnosis unit33that diagnoses the degree of deterioration of the used secondary battery module, and the rank giving unit34that gives the ranks R1to Rx to the secondary battery modules based on the diagnosis results in the battery diagnosis unit33. Alternatively, in a second embodiment, the server1includes a diagnosis result reception unit55without having the battery diagnosis unit33, as illustrated inFIG.7. The external terminal9includes a battery diagnosis unit933, a diagnosis result transmission unit945, and a battery information acquisition unit974.

In the second embodiment, the battery information acquisition unit974illustrated inFIG.7acquires battery information when the secondary battery module is charged and discharged. The acquisition of the battery information by the battery information acquisition unit974may be performed by charging and discharging the secondary battery module with a device provided in a vehicle or the like or with a charging and discharging machine that is an external device provided outside a vehicle while the secondary battery module is mounted on the vehicle or the like in the form of a battery assembly. Alternatively, the acquisition may be performed by charging and discharging the secondary battery module with a charging and discharging machine provided outside a vehicle in the form of a battery assembly unloaded from the vehicle or the like or in the form of individual secondary battery modules taken out from the battery assembly. Alternatively, the external terminal9may have the configuration of the charging and discharging machine.

The external terminal9illustrated inFIG.7includes a processing unit93. The processing unit93includes a predetermined arithmetic unit and includes the battery diagnosis unit933. The battery diagnosis unit933can have a configuration similar to that of the battery diagnosis unit33in the first embodiment. The battery diagnosis unit933diagnoses the degree of deterioration of the used secondary battery module, and transmits the diagnosis result to the server1by the diagnosis result transmission unit945. The diagnosis result reception unit55of the server1receives the diagnosis result, and the rank giving unit34gives a rank, similarly to the first embodiment. Note that, of other configurations, the same configurations as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference signs, and the description thereof will be omitted.

According to the second embodiment, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained. Furthermore, the server1does not need to include the battery diagnosis unit33, so that the configuration of the server1can be simplified.

Third Embodiment

The server1of the first embodiment described above includes the battery diagnosis unit33that diagnoses the degree of deterioration of the used secondary battery module, and the rank giving unit34that gives the ranks R1to Rx to the secondary battery modules based on the diagnosis results in the battery diagnosis unit33. Alternatively, the server1according to a third embodiment includes the diagnosis result reception unit55without having the battery diagnosis unit33, as illustrated inFIG.8. A vehicle500has a battery diagnosis unit501and a communication unit502. The battery diagnosis unit501can have a configuration similar to that of the battery diagnosis unit33in the first embodiment. The communication unit502of the vehicle500is connected to the server1in a wired or wireless manner via the communication network200.

The battery diagnosis unit501mounted on the vehicle500illustrated inFIG.8charges and discharges the battery assembly mounted on the vehicle500using a device mounted on the vehicle500in order to diagnose the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery module (not illustrated) constituting the battery assembly. Then, the diagnosis result of the degree of deterioration is transmitted to the server1via the communication unit502mounted on the vehicle500. The server1receives the diagnosis result by the diagnosis result reception unit55. Alternatively, it may be designed such that the diagnosis result is received by the diagnosis result reception unit55of the server1from the communication unit502via the external terminal9. The rank giving unit34gives the ranks to the secondary battery modules based on the diagnosis results of the degrees of deterioration received by the diagnosis result reception unit55. In the present embodiment, it may be designed such that the battery diagnosis unit501mounted on the vehicle500diagnoses the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery module by charging and discharging the battery assembly with the use of a charging and discharging machine provided outside the vehicle while the battery assembly is mounted on the vehicle500. Note that in the third embodiment, the same configurations as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference signs, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the server1according to the third embodiment includes the diagnosis result reception unit55capable of receiving the diagnosis results of the degrees of deterioration of the secondary battery modules, and the rank giving unit34that gives the ranks to the secondary battery modules based on the diagnosis results of the degrees of deterioration received by the diagnosis result reception unit55. As a result, the rank can be given by using the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery module acquired outside the server1, so that the server1does not need to include the battery diagnosis unit33, and the configuration of the server1can be simplified.

In the server1according to the third embodiment, the diagnosis result reception unit55is configured to receive a diagnosis result of the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery module diagnosed by the battery diagnosis unit501mounted on the vehicle500while the battery assembly including the secondary battery module is mounted on the vehicle. As a result, a configuration, suitable for reuse of the secondary battery module constituting the battery assembly mounted on the vehicle500, can be achieved.

Fourth Embodiment

In a fourth embodiment illustrated inFIG.9, a scan tool98, which is an external device different from the external terminal9of the first embodiment described above, is used. In the fourth embodiment, the server1includes the diagnosis result reception unit55without having the battery diagnosis unit33, as illustrated inFIG.9and similarly to the server1of the third embodiment. The scan tool98includes a battery information reception unit981, a battery diagnosis unit982, a diagnosis result transmission unit983, and a diagnosis result display unit984. Note that the scan tool98may include an operation unit that a user uses to operate the scan tool98. The vehicle500has a communication unit503capable of communicating with the scan tool98. The battery information reception unit981of the scan tool98is connected to the communication unit503of the vehicle in a wired or wireless manner. The diagnosis result transmission unit983of the scan tool98is connected to the server1in a wired or wireless manner via the communication network200.

In the fourth embodiment, battery information, obtained by charging and discharging a battery assembly mounted on the vehicle500with the use of a device mounted on the vehicle500, is transmitted to the scan tool98by the communication unit503. The battery information reception unit981of the scan tool98receives the battery information. The battery diagnosis unit982included in the scan tool98diagnoses the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery modules constituting the battery assembly. Then, the diagnosis result transmission unit983transmits the diagnosis result to the server1. The diagnosis result may be displayed on the diagnosis result display unit984included in the scan tool98so that a user can confirm it. Alternatively, it may be designed such that the battery diagnosis unit982included in the scan tool98diagnoses the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery module by charging and discharging the battery assembly with the use of a charging and discharging machine provided outside the vehicle while the battery assembly is mounted on the vehicle500.

In the server1according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to diagnose the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery module and to transmit the diagnosis result to the server1while the battery assembly is mounted on the vehicle500. As a result, a configuration, suitable for reuse of the secondary battery module constituting the battery assembly mounted on the vehicle500, can be achieved.

Fifth Embodiment

In a fifth embodiment illustrated inFIG.10, the server1includes a diagnosis result correction unit331that corrects a diagnosis result based on temperature information when the diagnosis result of the secondary battery module is created. The rank giving unit34is configured to give a rank to the secondary battery module based on the corrected diagnosis result. In the fifth embodiment, the server1includes a server1ahaving a configuration similar to that of the server1of the fourth embodiment illustrated inFIG.9, and a server1bhaving the diagnosis result correction unit331. The server1aand the server1bare installed in places different from each other, and both are connected via the communication network200.

In the fifth embodiment, the battery diagnosis unit982included in the scan tool98illustrated inFIG.10diagnoses the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery module constituting the battery assembly provided in the vehicle500, and creates a diagnosis result, similarly to the fourth embodiment illustrated inFIG.9. The diagnosis result includes temperature information when the diagnosis result is created. Then, the diagnosis result transmission unit983included in the scan tool98transmits the diagnosis result to the server1b. In the server1bthat has received the diagnosis result, the diagnosis result correction unit331corrects the diagnosis result based on the temperature information included in the diagnosis result. The correction of the diagnosis result can be performed such that, for example, when the temperature information is compared with a preset reference temperature and when the temperature information is different from the reference temperature, the diagnosis result is corrected by a predetermined method so as to be equal to that diagnosed at the reference temperature. Thereafter, the corrected diagnosis result is transmitted to the server1avia a transmission unit (not illustrated) included in the server1b. In the server1a, the rank giving unit34gives a rank to the secondary battery module based on the corrected diagnosis result. Other configurations and processing are similar to those in the fourth embodiment.

In the fifth embodiment, the ranks are given by the diagnosis results corrected based on the temperature information when the diagnosis results are created. Therefore, an influence on the diagnosis result due to a difference in the temperature environment in which the diagnosis is performed can be eliminated, so that accuracy in giving the rank can be enhanced. Furthermore, the place where the diagnosis of a battery is performed and the place where the disassembly, storage, repair, or assembly of a battery is performed can be made different from each other. As a result, efficient and quick repair services can be provided to customers. For example, a customer can get the diagnosis performed in a nearby vehicle dealer or the like, so that travel time can be reduced. Also, a battery diagnosis result is found at the vehicle dealer or the like, so that repair cost can be known on the spot. In addition, staffing and equipment ownership can be performed efficiently by concentrating repair locations.

In the fifth embodiment, the battery diagnosis unit982is included in the scan tool98provided in a vehicle dealer or the like different from the place where the server1ais installed, and the server1bis also installed in a location different from the server1a. However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and the server1amay include one or both of the battery diagnosis unit and the diagnosis result correction unit.

Sixth Embodiment

In a sixth embodiment illustrated inFIG.11, the server1has a configuration similar to that of the above-described fourth embodiment, and further includes a date and time information giving unit332that gives diagnosis date information included in a diagnosis result to the secondary battery module. In the sixth embodiment, the scan tool98is provided in a vehicle dealer or the like, and the date and time when the battery diagnosis unit982provided in the scan tool98creates a diagnosis result is included in the diagnosis result as date and time information.

In the sixth embodiment, the date and time when a diagnosis result of the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery module is created is given to the secondary battery module as the date and time information, so that misassembly can be further prevented by referring to the date and time information when the secondary battery module is assembled according to the assembly information. Furthermore, the place where diagnosis of a battery is performed and the place where disassembly, storage, repair, or assembly of a battery is performed can be made different from each other, as in the case of the fifth embodiment. As a result, efficient and quick repair services can be provided to customers, and staffing and equipment ownership can also be performed efficiently by concentrating repair locations.

Note that, in the present embodiment, the date and time information giving unit332is included in the server1. Alternatively, however, the date and time information giving unit332may be includes in the scan tool98provided in a vehicle dealer or the like existing in a place different from the server1.