Abstract:
To provide a secondary battery state detecting device that decreases the deterioration in capacity of the secondary battery and is low in arithmetic cost. 
     A secondary battery state detecting device that detects a state of a secondary battery includes discharge means (discharge circuit ( 15 )) for subjecting the secondary battery ( 14 ) to a pulse discharge, acquiring means (controller ( 10 )) for controlling the discharge means to subject the secondary battery to at least one pulse discharge, and acquiring a time variation of a voltage value at that time, calculating means (controller ( 10 )) for calculating a parameter of a predetermined function having time as a variable by fitting the variation of the voltage value acquired by the acquiring means using the predetermined function, and detecting means (controller ( 10 )) for detecting the state of the secondary battery on the basis of the parameter of the predetermined function calculated by the calculating means.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application of, and claims priority to, International Application No. PCT/JP2014/054242, filed Feb. 23, 2014 and entitled “SECONDARY BATTERY STATE DETECTING DEVICE AND SECONDARY BATTERY STATE DETECTING METHOD”, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-046031, filed Mar. 7, 2013, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a secondary battery state detecting device and a secondary battery state detecting method. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a secondary battery is subjected to a pulse discharge with a constant current at a frequency of 100 Hz or greater, a voltage difference of the secondary battery between before and immediately after a pulse discharge is determined, and a dischargable capacity from fully charged state or a degradation degree of the secondary battery from this voltage difference is detected. 
         [0004]    Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which data of a voltage and a current of a secondary battery mounted to an actual vehicle is acquired, and the data is converted to a frequency domain by Fourier transformation to determine an impedance spectrum. Then, on the basis of the determined impedance spectrum, constant fitting in an equivalent circuit model of the secondary battery is performed to determine a resistance component and double layer capacity component of the secondary battery, and then the state of the secondary battery is detected on the basis thereof. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0005]    Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-244180A 
         [0006]    Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-221487A 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0007]    According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a pulse discharge needs to be executed multiple times which is equal to or greater than a certain number of times, resulting in the problem of causing deterioration in the capacity of the secondary battery. 
         [0008]    Further, according to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, an arithmetic load of the Fourier transformation processing is high, requiring a processor with high processing capability, resulting in the problem of high cost. 
         [0009]    Hence, an object of the present invention is to provide a secondary battery state detecting device and a secondary battery state detecting method that decrease the deterioration in capacity of the secondary battery and are low in arithmetic cost. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0010]    To solve the above described problem, according to the present invention, a secondary battery state detecting device that detects a state of a secondary battery includes: discharge means for subjecting the secondary battery to a pulse discharge; acquiring means for controlling the discharge means to subject the secondary battery to at least one pulse discharge, and acquiring a time variation of a voltage value at that time, calculating means for calculating a parameter of a predetermined function having time as a variable by fitting the variation of a voltage value acquired by the acquiring means using the predetermined function; and detecting means for detecting the state of the secondary battery on the basis of the parameter of the predetermined function calculated by the calculating means. According to such a configuration, it is possible to decrease the deterioration in capacity of the secondary battery and reduce the arithmetic cost. 
         [0011]    Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, the calculating means calculate the parameter of the predetermined function with a value acquired by dividing the voltage value acquired by the acquiring means by a current value. 
         [0000]    According to such a configuration, it is possible to decrease the impact of variation in the current and accurately detect the state of the secondary battery. 
         [0012]    Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, the predetermined function is a linear function having time as a variable, and the detecting means detect the state of the secondary battery on the basis of a slope of the linear function. 
         [0000]    According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the calculation load using a linear function having few parameters. 
         [0013]    Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, the predetermined function is an exponential function having time as a variable, and the detecting means detect the state of the secondary battery on the basis of a coefficient of the exponential function. 
         [0000]    According to such a configuration, it is possible to detect the state of the secondary battery more accurately than the linear function. 
         [0014]    Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, the detecting means calculate a resistance value of a reaction resistance of the secondary battery from the coefficient of the exponential function, and detects the state of the secondary battery on the basis of the resistance value. 
         [0000]    According to such a configuration, it is possible to accurately detect the state of the secondary battery on the basis of a reaction resistance having significant variation due to degradation. 
         [0015]    Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, the detecting means calculate at least one of a capacity value of an electric double layer capacity and a resistance value of an ohmic resistance of the secondary battery from the coefficient of the exponential function, and detect the state of the secondary battery using at least one of the capacity value and the resistance value. 
         [0000]    According to such a configuration, it is possible to detect the state of the secondary battery more accurately than a case where only a reaction resistance is used. 
         [0016]    Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, the calculating means perform fitting using the predetermined function having time as a variable, on the basis of one of a least square operation and a Kalman filter operation. 
         [0000]    According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce a processing load compared to a case where, for example, Fourier transformation is executed. 
         [0017]    Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, the detecting means calculate at least one of a degradation degree and a dischargable capacity from fully charged state of the secondary battery on the basis of the parameter calculated by the calculating means. 
         [0000]    According to such a configuration, it is possible to accurately determine the state of the secondary battery on the basis of at least one of a degradation degree and a dischargable capacity from fully charged state of the secondary battery. 
         [0018]    Further, according to the present invention, a secondary battery state detecting method of detecting a state of a secondary battery includes: a discharging step of subjecting the secondary battery to a pulse discharge; an acquiring step of subjecting the secondary battery to at least one pulse discharge in the discharging step, and acquiring a time variation of a voltage value at that time; a calculating step of calculating a parameter of a predetermined function having time as a variable by fitting the variation of the voltage value acquired in the acquiring step using the predetermined function; and a detecting step of detecting the state of the secondary battery on the basis of the parameter of the predetermined function calculated in the calculating step. 
         [0000]    According to such a method, it is possible to decrease the deterioration in capacity of the secondary battery and reduce the arithmetic cost. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0019]    According to the present invention, it is possible to provide the secondary battery state detecting device and the secondary battery state detecting method capable of decreasing the deterioration in capacity of the secondary battery and reducing the arithmetic cost. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a secondary battery state detecting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of a controller in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a diagram showing an example of fitting by a linear function. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a diagram showing the relationship between a slope of the linear function and a state of health (SOH). 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing executed in the first embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an example of an equivalent circuit of a secondary battery used in a second embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a diagram showing an example of fitting by an exponential function. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a diagram showing the relationship between a reaction resistance determined by the exponential function and the SOH. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing executed in the second embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    Next, a description will be given of embodiments of the present invention. 
       (A) Description of Configuration of First Embodiment 
       [0031]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a power supply system of a vehicle that includes a secondary battery state detecting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , a secondary battery state detecting device  1  includes a controller  10 , a voltage sensor  11 , a current sensor  12 , a temperature sensor  13 , and a discharge circuit  15  as main components, and detects a state of a secondary battery  14 . Here, the controller  10  refers to outputs from the voltage sensor  11 , the current sensor  12 , and the temperature sensor  13 , and detects the state of the secondary battery  14 . The voltage sensor  11  detects a terminal voltage of the secondary battery  14 , and notifies the controller  10  of the voltage value. The current sensor  12  detects a current introduced through the secondary battery  14 , and notifies the controller  10  of the current value. The temperature sensor  13  detects an ambient temperature of the secondary battery  14  itself or of the surrounding area, and notifies the controller  10  of the temperature value. The discharge circuit  15  includes, for example, a semiconductor switch, a resistance element, and the like that are serially connected. The controller  10  controls the semiconductor switch to be on or off so that the secondary battery  14  is subjected to a pulse discharge. It should be noted that, rather than discharge via the resistance element, for example, discharge via a constant current circuit may be performed so that the discharging current is constant. 
         [0032]    The secondary battery  14  includes, for example, a lead-acid battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a lithium-ion battery, or the like. The secondary battery  14  is charged by a generator  16 , and drives a starter motor  18  to start an engine while supplying power to a load  19 . The generator  16  driven by an engine  17  generates AC power, converts the AC power to DC power with a rectifier circuit, and charges the secondary battery  14 . 
         [0033]    The engine  17  includes, for example, a reciprocating engine, a rotary engine, or the like, such as a petrol engine or a diesel engine. The engine  17  started by the starter motor  18  drives a drive wheel via a transmission to apply a driving force to the vehicle, and drives the generator  16  to generate power. The starter motor  18  includes, for example, a DC motor. The starter motor  18  generates a rotational force with the power supplied from the secondary battery  14  to start the engine  17 . The load  19  includes, for example, an electric steering motor, a defogger, an ignition coil, a vehicle audio, an automotive navigation system, or the like. The load  19  is operated by the power supplied from the secondary battery  14 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of the controller  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the controller  10  includes a central processing unit (CPU)  10   a , a read only memory (ROM)  10   b , a random access memory (RAM)  10   c , a communication unit  10   d , and an interface (I/F)  10   e . Here, the CPU  10   a  controls each unit on the basis of a program  10   ba  stored in the ROM  10   b . The ROM  10   b  includes a semiconductor memory and the like, and stores the program  10   ba  and the like. The RAM  10   c  includes a semiconductor memory and the like, and stores data generated when the program ba is executed, and a parameter  10   ca  such as a mathematical expression described later. The communication unit  10   d  communicates with an electric control unit (ECU), which is an upper device, and the like, and notifies the upper device of the detected information. The I/F  10   e  converts signals supplied from the voltage sensor  11 , the current sensor  12 , and the temperature sensor  13  to digital signals, takes the converted signals, supplies a driving current to the discharge circuit  15 , and controls the discharge circuit  15 . 
       (B) Description of Operation of First Embodiment 
       [0035]    Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to drawings. In the following, the principle of operation of the first embodiment will be described, followed by the detailed operation with reference to a flowchart. 
         [0036]    When detecting the state of the secondary battery  14 , the CPU  10   a  of the controller  10  controls the discharge circuit  15  to subject the secondary battery  14  to a pulse discharge, and then measures the time variation of the voltage and current at that time.  FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating the time variation of the voltage and current during pulse discharging. In this  FIG. 3 , the horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates current or voltage. First, the CPU  10   a  measures a voltage Vb before the start of discharge and a current Ib before the start of discharge. Next, the CPU  10   a  controls the discharge circuit  15  to subject the secondary battery  14  to a pulse discharge. At this time, the CPU  10   a  samples the outputs of the voltage sensor  11  and the current sensor  12  at predetermined cycles. In the example in  FIG. 3 , sampling is executed at timings t 1 , t 2 , t 3 , . . . , tN to acquire the voltage values and current values of the secondary battery  14 . 
         [0037]    Next, the CPU  10   a  respectively divides the time-series voltage values V (tn) sampled at the timings t 1 , t 2 , t 3 , . . . , tN by the time-series current values I (tn) sampled at the same timings to acquire time-series resistance values R (tn). It should be noted that, rather than using the voltage values as are, drop voltages ΔV (tn) may be determined from the voltage Vb before the start of discharge, and these drop voltages ΔV (tn) may be respectively divided by the current values I (tn) to acquire the time-series resistance values R (tn). 
         [0038]    Next, the CPU  10   a  fits the time-series resistance values R (tn) using a linear function f (tn) indicated in a formula (1) below, and determines coefficients a, b. Specifically, the CPU  10   a  determines the coefficients a, b by performing fitting using a least square operation or a Kalman filter operation. 
         [0000]        f ( tn )= a·tn+b   (1)
 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  shows measurement values for a plurality of types of the secondary battery  14 . In this  FIG. 4 , batt  1 ,  2 , batt  3 ,  4 , and batt  5 ,  6  each indicate a secondary battery having the same initial capacity (or nominal capacity), with batt  1 ,  2  indicating secondary batteries having an initial capacity of an intermediate level, and batt  3 ,  4  and batt  5 ,  6  indicating secondary batteries having an initial capacity greater than that of batt  1 ,  2 . As shown in this diagram, the resistance value differs according to the capacity of the secondary battery, but the slope does not substantially vary if the capacity is the same but the type is different. It should be noted that the value of the coefficient a corresponding to the slope of the graph is highly correlated with the reaction resistance value of the secondary battery  14 . This reaction resistance increases in accordance with the degradation in the secondary battery  14 , making it possible to accurately determine the state of the secondary battery  14  regardless of the type of the secondary battery  14  by determining the coefficient a of the linear function f (tn) indicated in formula (1). 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  is a diagram showing the relationship between the slope of the linear function and the initial capacity of the secondary battery  14 . In this  FIG. 5 , the horizontal axis indicates a slope a of the linear function, and the vertical axis indicates a state of health (SOH). Further, in the diagram, a diamond shape (SOH_ini) indicates a measured initial capacity, and a square (SOH_nom) indicates a nominal capacity. As shown in this  FIG. 5 , the nominal capacity and slope have a determination coefficient of about 0.7915. Further, the measured initial capacity and slope have a determination coefficient of about 0.7971. Thus, it can be said that the nominal value or measurement value of the secondary battery  14  has a high correlation with the slope. As a result, it is possible to presume that a high correlation exists between the SOH and the slope as well. 
         [0041]    Next, an example of the processing executed in the controller  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 6 . The flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 6  is executed if the state of the secondary battery  14  is to be detected, and is realized by reading the program  10   ba  stored in the ROM  10   b , and executing the program  10   ba  on the CPU  10   a . It should be noted that the execution timing may be after the elapse of a predetermined time (a few hours, for example) since the engine  17  stops. Naturally, a timing other than this is also acceptable. When the processing of this flowchart is started, the following steps are executed. 
         [0042]    In step S 10 , the CPU  10   a  refers to the output of the voltage sensor  11 , and detects the voltage Vb before the start of discharge shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0043]    In step S 11 , the CPU  10   a  refers to the output of the current sensor  12 , and detects the current Ib before the start of discharge shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0044]    In step S 12 , the CPU  10   a  controls the discharge circuit  15 , and starts the pulse discharge of the secondary battery  14 . It should be noted that pulse discharge methods include, for example, a discharge method via a resistance element, and a discharge method via a constant current circuit. It should also be noted that, according to the latter method, it is possible to simplify the processing of calculating the resistance value described later because a constant current is introduced. Further, it is possible to reduce the load of the secondary battery  14  by limiting the current value. 
         [0045]    In step S 13 , the CPU  10   a  measures the voltage of the secondary battery  14 . 
         [0000]    More specifically, the CPU  10   a  refers to the output of the voltage sensor  11 , measures the voltage V (tn) of the secondary battery  14  at the timing tn, and stores the measured value as the parameter  10   ca  in the RAM  10   c.    
         [0046]    In step S 14 , the CPU  10   a  measures the current of the secondary battery  14 . More specifically, the CPU  10   a  refers to the output of the current sensor  12 , measures the current I (tn) of the secondary battery  14  at the timing tn, and stores the measured value as the parameter  10   ca  in the RAM  10   c.    
         [0047]    In step S 15 , the CPU  10   a  determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of pulse discharge and proceeds to step S 16  if the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S 15 ), and, in any other case (No in step S 15 ), returns to step S 13  and repeats the same processing as described above. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , if the Nth sampling has ended, the CPU  10   a  makes the determination Yes, and the flow proceeds to step S 16 . 
         [0048]    In step S 16 , the CPU  10   a  ends the pulse discharge. More specifically, the CPU  10   a  controls the discharge circuit  15  to end the pulse discharge. 
         [0049]    In step S 17 , the CPU  10   a  determines the time-series resistance values R (tn). More specifically, the CPU  10   a  respectively divides the time-series voltage values V (tn) measured in step S 13  by the time-series current values (tn) to determine the time-series resistance values R (tn). The acquired time-series resistance values R (tn) are stored as the parameter  10   ca  in the RAM  10   c.    
         [0050]    In step S 18 , the CPU  10   a  fits the time-series resistance values R (tn) determined in step S 17  using the linear function f (tn) indicated in the aforementioned formula (1) to determine the coefficients a, b. More specifically, for example, the CPU  10   a  performs linear function fitting by using a least square operation or a Kalman filter operation, making it possible to acquire the coefficients a, b. 
         [0051]    In step S 19 , the CPU  10   a  acquires the coefficient a, which is the slope of the linear function determined in step S 18 . 
         [0052]    In step S 20 , the CPU  10   a  detects the state of the secondary battery  14  on the basis of the coefficient a acquired in step S 19 . More specifically, when degradation in the secondary battery  14  advances, the value of the coefficient a increases, making it possible to detect the degradation state of the secondary battery  14  on the basis of the level of the value of the coefficient a. 
         [0053]    It should be noted that while, according to the above processing, the resistance value is acquired by directly dividing the voltage value measured in step S 13  by the current value measured in step S 14 , the resistance value R (tn) may be determined by, for example, dividing a voltage ΔV (tn) of a difference acquired by subtracting the voltage Vb before the start of discharge from the measured voltage value, by the current value I (tn). 
         [0054]    Further, the variation in the resistance value caused by the temperature of the secondary battery  14  may be stored as a table in the ROM  10   b , and the resistance value determined in step S 17  may be temperature-corrected on the basis of the temperature of the secondary battery  14 , the temperature being detected with reference to the output of the temperature sensor  13 . According to such a method, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an error caused by temperature. 
       (C) Description of Second Embodiment 
       [0055]    Next, the second embodiment will be described. It should be noted that the configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and a description thereof will be omitted. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that fitting is performed using an exponential function rather than a linear function. In the following, the principle of operation of the second embodiment will be described, followed by a description of the detailed operation with reference to a flowchart. 
         [0056]      FIG. 7  illustrates an equivalent circuit of the secondary battery  14  used in the second embodiment. 
         [0000]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , according to the second embodiment, the secondary battery  14  is approximated by an ohmic resistance Rohm, a reaction resistance Rct, and an electric double layer capacity C. Here, the resistance Rohm indicates, for example, a liquid resistance of the secondary battery  14 . Further, the reaction resistance Rct (Charge Transfer Resistance) is the resistance when the charge transfers. Further, the electric double layer capacity C indicates the value of the capacity formed by pairs of positive and negative charged particles being formed and arranged in a stratified structure on the interface as a result of the transfer of the charged particles in accordance with an electric field. 
         [0057]    Further, according to the second embodiment, fitting is performed using the exponential function indicated in a formula (2) below, for example. It should be noted that a formula other than this is acceptable as well. 
         [0000]        f ( tn )= A ×(1−exp(− tn /τ))+ B   (2)
 
         [0058]    Here, A=Rct, B=Rohm, and τ=C×Rct where C is the electric double layer capacity. 
         [0059]      FIG. 8  is a diagram showing the results of fitting based on formula (2). In  FIG. 8 , “meas” indicates the measurement result, and “fitted” indicates the fitting result. As shown in this diagram, the measurement result and the fitting result are in close agreement. 
         [0060]      FIG. 9  is a diagram showing the relationship between the reaction resistance determined by formula (2) and the measurement values of the initial capacity of 27 secondary batteries. In  FIG. 9 , the horizontal axis indicates the reaction resistance Rct, and the vertical axis indicates the SOH. As shown in this diagram, the reaction resistance Rct and the SOH have a high determination coefficient of about 0.8777. Accordingly, it is possible to detect the state of the secondary battery  14  using the exponential function indicated in formula (2) as well. 
         [0061]    As described above, according to the second embodiment, the state of the secondary battery  14  is detected by subjecting the secondary battery  14  to a pulse discharge, dividing the voltage value at that time by the current value, recording the result as time series data, fitting the recorded time series data of the resistance value using the exponential function indicated in formula (2), and using a coefficient A (RCT). As a result, because multiple discharges are not executed, it is possible to prevent power consumption of the secondary battery  14 . Further, because complex calculations are not required, it is possible to use an inexpensive processing unit that does not have a high processing capability as the CPU  10   a.    
         [0062]    Next, the processing executed in the second embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 10 . It should be noted that, in  FIG. 10 , the processing corresponding to  FIG. 6  is denoted using the same reference numbers, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. In  FIG. 10 , compared to  FIG. 6 , steps S 18  to S 20  are replaced with steps S 50  to S 52 . All other processing is the same as in  FIG. 6 , and thus the following describes the processing with a focus on steps S 50  to S 52 . 
         [0063]    In step S 50 , the CPU  10   a  fits the time-series resistance values R (tn) determined in step S 17  using the exponential function f (tn) indicated in the aforementioned formula (2), and determines the coefficients A, B, and τ. More specifically, for example, the CPU  10   a  performs exponential function fitting by using a least square operation or a Kalman filter operation, making it possible to acquire the values of these coefficients. 
         [0064]    In step S 51 , the CPU  10   a  acquires the coefficient A of the exponential function determined in step S 50 . 
         [0065]    In step S 52 , the CPU  10   a  detects the state of the secondary battery  14  on the basis of the coefficient A acquired in step S 51 . More specifically, when degradation in the secondary battery  14  advances, the value of the coefficient A increases, making it possible to detect the degradation state of the secondary battery  14  on the basis of the level of the value of the coefficient A. 
         [0066]    It should be noted that while, according to the above processing, the resistance value is acquired by directly dividing the voltage value measured in step S 13  by the current value measured in step S 14 , the resistance value R (tn) may be determined by, for example, dividing a voltage ΔV (tn) of a difference acquired by subtracting the voltage Vb before the start of discharge from the measured voltage value, by the current value I (tn). 
         [0067]    Further, the variation in the resistance value caused by the temperature of the secondary battery  14  may be stored as a table in the ROM  10   b , and the resistance value determined in step S 17  may be temperature-corrected on the basis of the temperature of the secondary battery  14 , the temperature being detected with reference to the output of the temperature sensor  13 . According to such a method, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an error caused by temperature. 
       (D) Description of Modified Embodiment 
       [0068]    Needless to say, each of the above embodiments is but one example, and the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in each of the above embodiments, the used formulas (1) and (2) are examples, and formulas other than these may be used. For example, while a base e of a natural logarithm is used in the example of formula (2), a base other than this may be used. Further, for “1−exp(−tn/τ),” a formula other than this may be used, and terms other than these may also be included. 
         [0069]    Further, while the state of the secondary battery  14  is detected on the basis of one discharge in each of the above embodiments, the state may of course be detected on the basis of multiple discharges. In such a case, for example, the second and subsequent discharge may be executed at about several minute to several hour intervals, and the state of the secondary battery  14  may be determined from the average value of the acquired results. 
         [0070]    Further, while both voltage and current are detected in each of the above embodiments, only the voltage may be detected in a case where there is a small amount of variation in the current or in a case where discharge is performed by a constant current circuit, for example. 
         [0071]    Further, while the state of the secondary battery  14  is detected using only the coefficient A corresponding to the reaction resistance Rct in the second embodiment described above, the state may be determined using at least one of the ohmic resistance Rohm and the electric double layer capacity C. For example, the state may be detected using the reaction resistance Rct and the ohmic resistance Rohm, or the reaction resistance Rct and the electric double layer capacity C, or the state may be detected using all of the reaction resistance Rct, the ohmic resistance Rohm, and the electric double layer capacity C. It should be noted that if the state is determined using these, it is possible to determine the SOH or a state of function (SOF; dischargable capacity from fully charged state) as well as the relationship between these coefficients to determine the SOH or the SOF on the basis of this relationship. 
         [0072]    Further, the flowcharts illustrated in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 10  are examples, and the processing may be executed in a sequence other than these, or processing other than these may be executed. 
         [0073]    Further, while the value of the reaction resistance and the SOH are determined in each of the above embodiments, the idling of the engine  17  may be reduced, that is, idle reduction may be controlled on the basis of the determined reaction resistance, for example. Specifically, idle reduction may be executed if the value of the reaction resistance is determined to be less than a predetermined threshold value, and not executed if the value is determined to be greater than the predetermined threshold value. Alternatively, the engine may not be stopped if a voltage drop determined from the reaction resistance Rct and the current introduced to the starter motor  18  is equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage. Further, the operation of the load  19  may be stopped if the SOH is close to the aforementioned threshold value, for example, in order to prevent further power consumption of the secondary battery  14 . Further, a message instructing the user to replace the secondary battery  14  may be displayed if the SOH is less than a predetermined value. 
       REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           1  Secondary battery state detecting device 
           10  Controller (controlling means, calculating means, detecting means) 
           10   a  CPU 
           10   b  ROM 
           10   c  RAM 
           10   d  Display 
           10   e  I/F 
           11  Voltage sensor 
           12  Current sensor 
           13  Temperature sensor 
           14  Secondary battery 
           15  Discharge circuit (discharge means) 
           16  Generator 
           17  Engine 
           18  Starter motor 
           19  Load