Patent Description:
Lead-acid batteries are used in various applications in addition to in-vehicle applications and industrial applications. For example, an in-vehicle lead-acid battery is mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle such as an automobile, a motorcycle, a forklift, or a golf cart, and is used as a power supply source to a starter motor at the time of starting an engine and a power supply source to various electrical components such as lights. For example, an industrial lead-acid battery is used as an emergency power supply or a power supply source to a UPS.

It is known that deterioration of lead-acid batteries progresses due to various factors. In order to prevent stop of supply of power due to unexpected loss of function of the lead-acid battery, it is necessary to appropriately determine the deterioration degree of the lead-acid battery and accurately determine the necessity of replacement. Patent Literature <NUM> discloses an invention of a deterioration determination method in which a secondary battery is self-discharged by being left for an arbitrary time, self-discharged, or forcibly discharged, and deterioration of the secondary battery is determined by a magnitude or a ratio of a voltage or comparison with a non-defective product of the secondary battery.

As a guarantee period of an in-vehicle lead-acid battery, for example, a period until <NUM> years elapse from the time of mounting the lead-acid battery on a vehicle or a period until the travel distance reaches <NUM>,<NUM>, whichever comes first, is set. For this reason, a store of a lead-acid battery determines the deterioration degree of the lead-acid battery brought from a user, and determines whether or not the lead-acid battery is a target of guarantee such as replacement.

Among the guarantees, a case where an abnormality has occurred in a product is a target of replacement, and for example, a case where the product is charged and recovered is not a target of replacement. In addition, in a case where a trouble occurs due to overuse in use, insufficient care by the user, negligence, or an accident, the product is not a target of replacement. In a store that sells a lead-acid battery, it is necessary to determine whether or not the product is a target of replacement based on a manual, which requires man-hours and labor.

The degree of guarantee is determined by the following procedures.

These procedures are manual, but determination in (<NUM>) requires certain skills and experience. In the case of strict determination, the dissatisfaction of the user increases, and in the case of loose determination, the guarantee cost increases.

An object of the present invention is to provide a determination device, a deterioration determination system, a work support device, a deterioration determination method, and a computer program capable of quickly, objectively, and accurately determining the degree of deterioration or guarantee of a lead-acid battery.

A determination device according to an aspect of the present invention is provided, as defined by independent claim <NUM>. The determination device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires determination information for determining a degree of deterioration or guarantee of a lead-acid battery; a determination unit that determines the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery by referring to a database that stores the determination information and the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery in association with each other based on the acquired determination information; and an output unit that outputs a result determined by the determination unit. The determination information is appearance information including liquid smear, corrosion of a terminal, or breakage of a container, or image information of the lead-acid battery.

A determination device according to an aspect of the present invention is provided, as defined by independent claim <NUM>. The determination device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires determination information for determining a degree of deterioration or guarantee of a lead-acid battery; a determination unit that determines the deterioration degree or the degree of guarantee of the lead-acid battery by inputting the acquired determination information to a learning model that outputs the deterioration degree or the degree of guarantee of the lead-acid battery when the determination information is input. The determination information is appearance information including liquid smear, corrosion of a terminal, or breakage of a container, or image information of the lead-acid battery.

A deterioration determination system according to an aspect of the present invention includes: the above-described determination devices; an imaging unit that captures an image of the lead-acid battery; a voltage measurement unit that measures a terminal voltage of the lead-acid battery; a specific gravity measurement unit that measures a specific gravity of an electrolyte solution of the lead-acid battery; and a terminal that acquires the image, the terminal voltage, or the specific gravity, and outputs the image, the terminal voltage, or the specific gravity to the determination device.

A work support device according to an aspect of the present invention is provided, as defined by independent claim <NUM>. The work support device includes: a receiving unit that receives, from an external terminal, determination information for determining a degree of deterioration or guarantee of a lead-acid battery acquired by acquisition work; a first determination unit that determines the deterioration of the lead-acid battery based on the received determination information; a second determination unit that determines whether or not to perform next acquisition work of determination information based on a result determined by the first determination unit; and a transmission unit that transmits an instruction of the acquisition work to the terminal when the second determination unit determines to perform the acquisition work. The determination information is appearance information including liquid smear, corrosion of a terminal, or breakage of a container, or image information of the lead-acid battery.

A deterioration determination method and a computer program according to an aspect of the present invention are provided, as defined by independent claims <NUM> and <NUM>. The method and processing executed by the computer program, respectively, include: acquiring determination information for determining a degree of deterioration or guarantee of a lead-acid battery; determining the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery by referring to a database that stores the determination information and the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery in association with each other based on the acquired determination information; and outputting a result that is determined. The determination information is appearance information including liquid smear, corrosion of a terminal, or breakage of a container, or image information of the lead-acid battery.

According to the above configuration, since the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery is determined by referring to the database that stores the determination information and the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery in association with each other, it is possible to quickly, objectively, and accurately determine the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery without depending on the skill of a judge.

Because processes for determining are reduced and quick determination is enabled, user satisfaction is improved, and unnecessary guarantee costs are reduced.

The lead-acid battery also includes a lead-acid battery module in which a plurality of lead-acid batteries are connected in series.

A determination device according to an embodiment includes: an acquisition unit that acquires determination information for determining a degree of deterioration or guarantee of a lead-acid battery; and a determination unit that determines the deterioration degree or the degree of guarantee of the lead-acid battery by inputting the acquired determination information to a learning model that outputs the deterioration degree or the degree of guarantee of the lead-acid battery when the determination information is input.

According to the above configuration, the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery can be easily and satisfactorily determined.

In the above-described determination device, the determination information may be appearance information including liquid smear, corrosion of a terminal, or breakage of a container, or image information of the lead-acid battery.

Sulfuric acid may leak due to bending of the terminal, and the degree of deterioration or guarantee can be determined by appearance information about the terminal, liquid smear, or breakage, or image information in which the terminal, liquid leakage, or breakage is confirmed. It is also possible to determine whether the breakage or the like of the container is caused by a defect in manufacturing, overuse in use, insufficient care, negligence, or an accident. That is, even if an abnormality is recognized from the appearance information or the image information, it is possible to determine the degree of guarantee of the lead-acid battery, such as not being a target of free replacement, based on the relationship between the appearance information or the image stored in the database and the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery.

In the above-described determination device, the determination information may further include at least one piece of information selected from the group consisting of use state information including a use period or a travel distance, internal inspection information including a specific gravity of an electrolyte solution or a terminal voltage, vehicle type information, and position information or an air temperature.

According to the above configuration, the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery can be satisfactorily determined in consideration of the use state information, the internal inspection information, the vehicle type information, or the position information or the temperature.

There are many cases where the lead-acid battery is brought into a store due to "starting failure", but the "starting failure" may be caused by a failure other than the failure of the lead-acid battery, for example, due to a control device of the vehicle performing control based on the air temperature or the like. In this case, the database can determine that the failure is caused due to its vehicle type or air temperature, and the lead-acid battery is a normal product. Accuracy and efficiency of determination of deterioration of the lead-acid battery are improved.

A deterioration determination system according to an embodiment includes: any of the above-described determination devices; an imaging unit that captures an image of the lead-acid battery; a voltage measurement unit that measures a terminal voltage of the lead-acid battery; a specific gravity measurement unit that measures a specific gravity of an electrolyte solution of the lead-acid battery; and a terminal that acquires the image, the terminal voltage, or the specific gravity, and outputs the image, the terminal voltage, or the specific gravity to the determination device.

According to the above configuration, the internal inspection information and the image can be quickly acquired, and the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery can be determined.

A work support device according to an embodiment includes: a receiving unit that receives, from an external terminal, determination information for determining a degree of deterioration or guarantee of a lead-acid battery acquired by acquisition work; a first determination unit that determines the deterioration of the lead-acid battery based on the received determination information; a second determination unit that determines whether or not to perform next acquisition work of determination information based on a result determined by the first determination unit; and a transmission unit that transmits an instruction of the acquisition work to the terminal when the second determination unit determines to perform the acquisition work.

According to the above configuration, since the work support device determines whether or not to perform the next determination work based on the result of one determination process, it is possible to omit an unnecessary determination process and to efficiently determine the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery.

A deterioration determination method according to an embodiment includes: acquiring determination information for determining a degree of deterioration or guarantee of a lead-acid battery; determining the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery by referring to a database that stores the determination information and the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery in association with each other based on the acquired determination information; and outputting a result that is determined.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to quickly, objectively, and accurately determine the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery without depending on the skill of a judge.

A computer program according to an embodiment causes a computer to execute processing of: acquiring determination information for determining a degree of deterioration or guarantee of a lead-acid battery; determining the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery by referring to a database that stores the determination information and the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery in association with each other based on the acquired determination information; and outputting a result that is determined.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a deterioration determination system <NUM> according to a first embodiment. In the deterioration determination system <NUM>, a determination device <NUM> of a manufacturer of a lead-acid battery (hereinafter, referred to as a battery) <NUM> and a terminal <NUM> of a store of the battery <NUM> are connected via a network N such as the Internet. The store of the battery <NUM> is equipped with a camera <NUM> that images the battery <NUM>, a tester <NUM> that measures a voltage between terminals of the battery <NUM>, and a hydrometer <NUM> that measures a specific gravity of an electrolyte solution of the battery <NUM>, in proximity to the terminal <NUM>.

The determination device <NUM> acquires determination information for determining the degrees of deterioration and guarantee of the battery <NUM> from the terminal <NUM>, determines the deterioration degree of the battery <NUM>, determines the degree of guarantee, and transmits the obtained results to the terminal <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of the determination device <NUM>. The determination device <NUM> includes a control unit <NUM> that controls the entire device, a main storage unit <NUM>, a communication unit <NUM>, an auxiliary storage unit <NUM>, and a clocking unit <NUM>. The determination device <NUM> can include one or a plurality of servers. The determination device <NUM> may use a virtual machine in addition to a plurality of devices performing distributed processing.

The control unit <NUM> can include a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and the like. The control unit <NUM> may include a graphics processing unit (GPU). In addition, a quantum computer may be used.

The main storage unit <NUM> is a temporary storage area such as a static random access memory (SRAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or a flash memory, and temporarily stores data necessary for the control unit <NUM> to execute calculation processing.

The communication unit <NUM> has a function of communicating with the terminal <NUM> via the network N, and can transmit and receive necessary information. Specifically, the communication unit <NUM> receives the determination information transmitted by the terminal <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> transmits the determination results of the deterioration degree and the degree of guarantee of the battery <NUM> to the terminal <NUM>.

The auxiliary storage unit <NUM> is a large-capacity memory, a hard disk, or the like, and stores a program necessary for the control unit <NUM> to execute processing, a program <NUM> for performing determination processing of the degrees of deterioration and guarantee described later, a determination history DB <NUM>, and a use history DB <NUM>. The determination history DB <NUM> may be stored in another DB server.

The program <NUM> stored in the auxiliary storage unit <NUM> may be provided by a recording medium <NUM> in which the program <NUM> is recorded in a readable manner. The recording medium <NUM> is, for example, a portable memory such as a USB memory, an SD card, a micro SD card, or a CompactFlash (registered trademark). The program <NUM> recorded in the recording medium <NUM> is read from the recording medium <NUM> using a reading device (not shown) and installed in the auxiliary storage unit <NUM>. Furthermore, the program <NUM> may be provided by communication via the communication unit <NUM>.

The clocking unit <NUM> performs clocking.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of the terminal <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> includes a control unit <NUM> that controls the entire device, a main storage unit <NUM>, a communication unit <NUM>, an operation unit <NUM>, a display panel <NUM>, an auxiliary storage unit <NUM>, a GPS receiving unit <NUM>, and a speaker <NUM>.

The terminal <NUM> can be configured by, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet, or the like.

The control unit <NUM> can include a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control unit <NUM> may include a GPU.

The main storage unit <NUM> is a temporary storage area such as an SRAM, a DRAM, or a flash memory, and temporarily stores data necessary for the control unit <NUM> to execute calculation processing.

The communication unit <NUM> has a function of communicating with the determination device <NUM> via the network N, and can transmit and receive necessary information.

The operation unit <NUM> includes, for example, a hardware keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like, and can perform operation of icons and the like displayed on the display panel <NUM>, input of characters and the like, and the like.

The display panel <NUM> can be configured by a liquid crystal panel, an organic electro luminescence (EL) display panel, or the like. The control unit <NUM> performs control for displaying necessary information on the display panel <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> displays, on the display panel <NUM>, information such as the deterioration degree and the degree of guarantee of the battery <NUM> acquired from the determination device <NUM>.

The auxiliary storage unit <NUM> is a large-capacity memory or the like, and stores a program necessary for the control unit <NUM> to execute processing and a web browser program (hereinafter, referred to as a program) <NUM>. The program <NUM> is provided from the determination device <NUM> by communication via the communication unit <NUM>. The program <NUM> may be provided by a recording medium <NUM> in which the program <NUM> is recorded in a readable manner.

The GPS receiving unit <NUM> receives radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites and detects the position of the terminal <NUM>.

The speaker <NUM> outputs a voice in accordance with an instruction from the control unit <NUM>.

Table <NUM> shows an example of a table stored in the determination history DB <NUM>.

The determination history DB <NUM> stores a No. column, a use state column including a use period column and a travel distance column, an appearance information column including a liquid smear column, a corrosion column of a terminal, and a breakage column of a container, an image column, an internal inspection information column including a specific gravity column of an electrolyte solution and a terminal voltage column, a vehicle type column, a position information/air temperature column, a charge-discharge test result column, a disassembly inspection result column, a deterioration degree column, and a determination column. The No. column stores the row No. when the determination of the battery <NUM> is performed for a large number of different batteries <NUM> and at different timings of the same battery <NUM>. The use period column stores a use period after mounting or replacement of the battery <NUM>. The travel distance column stores a travel distance of a vehicle on which the battery <NUM> is mounted. The liquid smear column stores the degree of smear of the electrolyte solution in five stages of from, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>. <NUM> is a state where there is no blur, and the degree of blur increases as the number increases. The corrosion column of a terminal stores the degree of corrosion of the terminal in five stages of from <NUM> to <NUM>. <NUM> is a state where there is no corrosion, and the corrosion amount increases as the number increases. The breakage column of a container includes a lid, and stores the degree of breakage in five stages of from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The use state column may further include information of a vehicle history and a compensation period of the battery <NUM>.

The appearance information column may further include information of deformation, discoloration, and liquid amount (liquid level height) of the container.

The image column stores an image obtained by imaging the battery <NUM>. The image preferably includes images viewed from the front, the side, the back, and the plane. More preferably, a bottom view is also included.

The specific gravity column of an electrolyte solution is represented by, for example, five evaluation values of from <NUM> to <NUM>, where <NUM> corresponds to the specific gravity at the beginning of manufacturing of the battery <NUM>, the specific gravity decreases as the numerical value increases, and <NUM> indicates a state in which the specific gravity increases by <NUM> to <NUM>% as compared with the specific gravity at the beginning of manufacturing. In addition, <NUM> indicates a state in which the specific gravity decreases by <NUM> to <NUM>%. The terminal voltage column stores the amount of decrease in the terminal voltage in five stages of from <NUM> to <NUM>. "<NUM>" is a voltage at the start of use, and the amount of decrease in the voltage increases as the number increases.

The vehicle type column stores vehicle types. The position information/air temperature column stores the position information or the temperature of the determination place. Instead of the air temperature, the temperature of the battery <NUM> may be stored.

The charge-discharge test column stores test results such as a capacity retention ratio when a charge-discharge cycle test is performed. In the case of the capacity retention ratio, the capacity retention ratio is expressed as a ratio of the capacity at the time of determination when the initial capacity is <NUM>%.

The disassembly inspection column is represented by, for example, four evaluation values of from <NUM> to <NUM> based on information such as the presence or absence of corrosion of a positive electrode current collector, electrolyte depletion, positive electrode softening, and sulfation acquired by disassembly, the connection state between the element and the terminal, and the like. "<NUM>" is a state in which there is no problem at the start of use, and the degree of deterioration such as the presence or absence of corrosion, electrolyte depletion, positive electrode softening, and sulfation increases as the number increases. "<NUM>" indicates that the degree of deterioration is the largest, and "<NUM>" indicates that the degree of deterioration is "<NUM>", but the deterioration is caused by the use situation such as the user's fault.

The deterioration degree column is represented in four stages based on a charge-discharge test result and a result of a disassembly inspection. "<NUM>" is a state in which there is no deterioration, and the deterioration progresses as the numerical value increases. "<NUM>" indicates that the degree of deterioration is the largest, and "<NUM>" indicates that the degree of deterioration is "<NUM>", but the deterioration is caused by the use situation such as the user's fault.

The determination column stores a determination result of the degree of guarantee. Examples of the degree of guarantee include the following four stages.

The degree of guarantee "<NUM>" corresponds to the deterioration degree "<NUM>", the degree of guarantee "<NUM>" corresponds to the deterioration degree "<NUM>", the degree of guarantee "<NUM>" corresponds to the deterioration degree "<NUM>", and the degree of guarantee "<NUM>" corresponds to the deterioration degree "<NUM>".

The determination history DB <NUM> is not limited to a case where all the above-described items are stored as the determination information. At least appearance information or an image is included as the determination information. In addition, the determination of the deterioration degree is not limited to the case of using both the charge-discharge test result and the disassembly inspection result. The evaluation method (stages) of each item is not limited to the above case.

The determination history DB <NUM> may be stored for each model of the battery <NUM> or for each vehicle type. There are many cases where the battery <NUM> is brought into a store due to "starting failure", but the "starting failure" may be caused by a failure other than the failure of the battery <NUM>, for example, due to a control device of the vehicle performing control based on the air temperature or the like. In this case, it is determined that the battery <NUM> is a normal product. It can be seen that there is such a tendency depending on the vehicle type, and the accuracy and efficiency of the determination are improved. It is also possible to provide recent failure statistics for each model.

Table <NUM> shows an example of a table stored in the use history DB <NUM>.

The use history DB <NUM> stores, for each battery <NUM>, a No. column, a use state column including a use period column and a travel distance column, an appearance information column including a liquid smear column, a corrosion column of a terminal, and a breakage column of a container, an image column, an internal inspection information column including a specific gravity column of an electrolyte solution and a terminal voltage column, a vehicle type column, a position information/air temperature column, a deterioration degree column, and a determination column. Table <NUM> shows a use history of the battery <NUM> of ID No. <NUM>. The use period column, the travel distance column, the liquid smear column, the corrosion column of a terminal, the breakage column of a container, the image column, the specific gravity column of an electrolyte solution, the terminal voltage column, the vehicle type column, the position information/air temperature column, the deterioration degree column, and the determination column store the same contents as the use period column, the travel distance column, the liquid smear column, the corrosion column of a terminal, the breakage column of a container, the image column, the specific gravity column of an electrolyte solution, the terminal voltage column, the vehicle type column, the position information/air temperature column, the deterioration degree column, and the determination column of the determination history DB <NUM>.

The deterioration degree column stores the deterioration degree derived as described later, and the determination column stores the degree of guarantee of the battery <NUM> based on the derived deterioration degree.

Hereinafter, a method in which the determination device <NUM> estimates the deterioration degree of the battery <NUM> and determines the degree of guarantee of the battery <NUM> in four stages will be described. A case where the control unit <NUM> acquires determination information of the use state, the appearance information, the image, the internal inspection information, the vehicle type, the position information, or the air temperature to perform determination will be described. The determination information includes at least the appearance information or the image information.

<FIG> is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen. The display screen of <FIG> shows a result of the determination made by the control unit <NUM> when a staff member uses the operation unit <NUM> to make an input on a web browser screen displayed on the display panel <NUM> based on the program <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> displays an input field of a vehicle type, input fields of a use start date of a use state and a travel distance, and input fields of liquid smear, corrosion of a terminal, and breakage of a container of appearance information on a left side portion of the display screen. The control unit <NUM> displays an image display button and a transmission button in an upper center portion of the display screen, and displays input fields of a specific gravity of an electrolyte solution and a terminal voltage in a lower portion. The control unit <NUM> displays display fields of a transmission button of position information and an air temperature in an upper portion of a right-side portion, and displays determination results of the deterioration degree and the degree of guarantee.

The staff member inputs the manufacturer name and the vehicle type in the input field of the vehicle type. In the input field of the use start date, the date of the start of use is input. When the use start date is input, the control unit <NUM> displays the calculated use period in the field of the use period adjacent to the input field of the use start date. In the input field of the travel distance, the number of kilometers of the travel distance is input. In the input fields of the liquid smear, the corrosion of a terminal, and the breakage of a container, the staff member inputs the results of the above-described five-stage evaluation. In a case where the staff member clicks the image display button, the control unit <NUM> displays a plurality of captured images acquired using the camera <NUM>, and when the staff member clicks the selected portion at the lower right of the captured image and clicks the transmission button, the selected captured image is transmitted to the determination device <NUM>. In the input fields of the specific gravity of the electrolyte solution and the terminal voltage, the staff member inputs the results of the above-described five-stage evaluation. When the staff member clicks the transmission button of the position information, the position information is transmitted to the determination device <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may display the air temperature based on the position information in the display field of the air temperature, or may receive an input of the air temperature by the staff member and transmit the input to the determination device <NUM>. Instead of the air temperature, an input of the temperature of the battery <NUM> may be received.

A procedure shown in the flowchart of <FIG> will be described below with reference to this explanatory diagram.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing of deriving the deterioration degree and determining the degree of guarantee by the control unit <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> acquires the vehicle type input by the staff member using the operation unit <NUM> (S201).

The control unit <NUM> transmits the vehicle type to the determination device <NUM> (S202).

The control unit <NUM> receives the vehicle type and stores the received vehicle type in the use history DB <NUM> (S101).

The control unit <NUM> transmits the position information detected by the GPS receiving unit <NUM> to the determination device <NUM> (S203).

The control unit <NUM> receives the position information and stores the air temperature corresponding to the position information in the use history DB <NUM> (S102).

The control unit <NUM> acquires the use state such as the use period and the travel distance input by the staff member using the operation unit <NUM> (S204).

The control unit <NUM> transmits the use state to the determination device <NUM> (S205).

The control unit <NUM> receives the use state and stores the use state in the use history DB <NUM> (S103).

The control unit <NUM> acquires the appearance information such as the liquid smear, the corrosion of a terminal, and the breakage of a container input by the staff member using the operation unit <NUM> (S206).

The control unit <NUM> transmits the appearance information to the determination device <NUM> (S207).

The control unit <NUM> receives the appearance information and stores the appearance information in the use history DB <NUM> (S104).

The control unit <NUM> acquires an image of the battery <NUM> captured by the staff member using the camera <NUM> (S208).

The control unit <NUM> transmits the image to the determination device <NUM> (S209).

The control unit <NUM> receives the image and stores the image in the use history DB <NUM> (S105).

The control unit <NUM> acquires internal inspection information such as the specific gravity of the electrolyte solution measured by the staff member using the hydrometer <NUM> and the terminal voltage measured by the tester <NUM> (S210).

The control unit <NUM> transmits the internal inspection information to the determination device <NUM> (S211).

The control unit <NUM> receives the internal inspection information and stores the internal inspection information in the use history DB <NUM> (S106).

The control unit <NUM> derives the deterioration degree (S107). The control unit <NUM> derives the deterioration degree corresponding to the acquired determination information based on the rule base of the relationship between the use state, the appearance information, the image, the internal inspection information, the vehicle type, and the position information/air temperature stored in the determination history DB <NUM>, and the deterioration degree based on the charge-discharge test result and the disassembly inspection result. That is, the deterioration degree is determined by a combination of information of each item. In a case where the relationship can be expressed as a function, the control unit <NUM> may provide a plurality of threshold values for the value of the function in stages and derive the deterioration degree based on the obtained value of the function and the threshold value.

The control unit <NUM> determines the degree of guarantee based on the deterioration degree (S108).

The control unit <NUM> sets the determination of the degree of guarantee to "<NUM>" when the deterioration degree is "<NUM>", sets the determination of the degree of the guarantee to "<NUM>" when the deterioration degree is "<NUM>", sets the determination of the degree of guarantee to "<NUM>" when the deterioration degree is "<NUM>", and sets the determination of the degree of guarantee to "<NUM>" when the deterioration degree is "<NUM>".

The control unit <NUM> transmits the result (S109) and ends the processing.

The control unit <NUM> receives the result (S212), displays the result on the display panel <NUM> (S213), and ends the processing.

According to the present embodiment, since the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the battery <NUM> is determined by referring to the determination history DB <NUM> that stores the determination information and the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the battery <NUM> in association with each other, it is possible to quickly, objectively, and accurately determine the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the battery <NUM> without depending on the skill of the staff member.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a determination device <NUM> according to a second embodiment. The determination device <NUM> according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the determination device <NUM> according to the first embodiment except that a program <NUM> and a learning model <NUM> are stored in the auxiliary storage unit <NUM>, the program <NUM> is installed in the auxiliary storage unit <NUM> by a recording medium <NUM>, and the content of the table of the use history DB <NUM> is different.

Table <NUM> shows an example of a table stored in the use history DB <NUM>.

The table of the use history DB <NUM> of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the table of the first embodiment except that the actual measurement determination column is stored in addition to the content of the table of the use history DB <NUM> of the first embodiment. The actual measurement determination column stores the determination result of the degree of guarantee of actual measurement based on the charge-discharge test result and the disassembly inspection result. The actual measurement determination is performed for relearning to be described later, and does not need to be always performed at the time of determination.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram showing an example of the learning model <NUM>.

The learning model <NUM> is a learning model assumed to be used as a program module that is a part of artificial intelligence software, and a multilayer neural network (deep learning) can be used. For example, a convolutional neural network (CNN) can be used, but a recurrent neural network (RNN) may be used. When an RNN is used, the determination information is input over time, and the degree of guarantee is output over time. Other machine learning may be used. The control unit <NUM> operates to perform calculation on the determination information input to an input layer of the learning model <NUM> according to a command from the learning model <NUM>, and output the degree of guarantee and the probability thereof as the determination result. For a CNN, an intermediate layer includes a convolution layer, a pooling layer, and a fully connected layer. The number of nodes (neurons) is not limited to the case of <FIG>.

One or a plurality of nodes exist in the input layer, an output layer, and the intermediate layer, and the nodes of each layer are combined with the nodes existing in the preceding and subsequent layers in one direction with a desired weight. A vector having the same number of components as the number of nodes of the input layer is provided as input data of the learning model <NUM> (input data for learning and input data for determination).

The learned input data includes at least appearance information or image information. As described above, the appearance information is five-stage evaluation by the staff member of at least one of liquid smear, corrosion of a terminal, and breakage of a container. The image preferably includes images viewed from the front, the side, the back, and the plane, and more preferably includes a bottom view. It is preferable to input a captured image including at least a terminal such that the presence or absence of liquid leakage is known and the degree of breakage of a container is known. For example, sulfuric acid may leak due to bending of the terminal, and appearance information or image information about the terminal, liquid leakage, and breakage can be input to the learning model <NUM> to acquire the degree of guarantee based on the deterioration degree. When appearance information or image information including an abnormality such as breakage of a container caused by a problem in use is input, the degree of guarantee "<NUM>" for replacement for a fee is output.

The determination information may further include at least one of use state information, internal inspection information, vehicle type information, and position information or air temperature.

The input layer of the learned learning model <NUM> inputs the determination information. When the data given to each node of the input layer is input and given to the first intermediate layer, the output of the intermediate layer is calculated using the weight and the activation function, the calculated value is given to the next intermediate layer, and the calculated value is successively transmitted to the subsequent layer (lower layer) similarly until the output of the output layer is obtained. Note that all of the weights combining the nodes are calculated by a learning algorithm.

The output layer of the learning model <NUM> generates the degree of guarantee and the probability thereof as output data.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing of generating the learning model <NUM> by the control unit <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> reads the determination history DB <NUM> and acquires training data in which the determination information of each row is associated with the degree of guarantee (S301).

The control unit <NUM> uses the training data to generate the learning model <NUM> (learned model) that outputs the probability of the degree of guarantee when the determination information is input (S302). Specifically, the control unit <NUM> inputs the training data to the input layer, performs calculation processing in the intermediate layer, and acquires the probability of the degree of guarantee from the output layer.

The control unit <NUM> compares the determination result of the degree of guarantee output from the output layer with information labeled with the determination information in the training data, that is, the correct value, and optimizes the parameter used for the calculation processing in the intermediate layer so that the output value from the output layer approaches the correct value. The parameter is, for example, the above-described weight (coupling coefficient), the coefficient of the activation function, or the like. The parameter optimization method is not particularly limited, but for example, the control unit <NUM> optimizes various parameters using an error back propagation method.

The control unit <NUM> stores the generated learning model <NUM> in the auxiliary storage unit <NUM>, and ends the series of processing.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing of determining the degree of guarantee by the control unit <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> acquires the vehicle type input by the staff member using the operation unit <NUM> (S221).

The control unit <NUM> transmits the vehicle type to the determination device <NUM> (S222).

The control unit <NUM> receives the vehicle type (S111).

The control unit <NUM> transmits the position information detected by the GPS receiving unit <NUM> to the determination device <NUM> (S223).

The control unit <NUM> receives the position information (S112).

The control unit <NUM> acquires the use state such as the use period and the travel distance input by the staff member using the operation unit <NUM> (S224).

The control unit <NUM> transmits the use state to the determination device <NUM> (S225).

The control unit <NUM> receives the use state (S113).

The control unit <NUM> acquires appearance information such as the liquid smear, the corrosion of a terminal, and the breakage of a container input by the staff member using the operation unit <NUM> (S226).

The control unit <NUM> transmits the appearance information to the determination device <NUM> (S227).

The control unit <NUM> receives the appearance information (S114).

The control unit <NUM> acquires an image of the battery <NUM> captured by the staff member using the camera <NUM> (S228).

The control unit <NUM> transmits the image to the determination device <NUM> (S229).

The control unit <NUM> receives the image (S115).

The control unit <NUM> acquires internal inspection information such as the specific gravity of the electrolyte solution measured by the staff member using the hydrometer <NUM> and the terminal voltage measured by the tester <NUM> (S230).

The control unit <NUM> transmits the internal inspection information to the determination device <NUM> (S231).

The control unit <NUM> receives the internal inspection information (S116).

The control unit <NUM> inputs the determination information to the learning model <NUM> (S117).

The control unit <NUM> acquires the degree of guarantee based on the probability of the degree of guarantee output from the learning model <NUM> (S118). For example, the control unit <NUM> acquires the degree of guarantee when the probability is <NUM>% or more.

The control unit <NUM> transmits the result of the degree of guarantee to the terminal <NUM> (S119), and ends the processing.

The control unit <NUM> receives the determination result (S232).

The control unit <NUM> displays the determination result on the display panel <NUM> (S233), and ends the processing.

The control unit <NUM> can cause the learning model <NUM> to be relearned so as to improve the reliability of determination based on the degree of guarantee determined using the learning model <NUM> and the degree of guarantee obtained by actual measurement. For example, in No. <NUM> in Table <NUM>, since the determination result by the learning model <NUM> matches the determination result by actual measurement, it is possible to increase the probability of the determination result by inputting a large number of pieces of training data in which the determination result is associated with the determination information in the row of No. <NUM> and causing relearning. When the determination result by the learning model <NUM> does not match the determination result by actual measurement, training data in which the determination result by actual measurement is associated is input and relearning is caused.

According to the present embodiment, the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery can be easily and satisfactorily determined.

The learning model <NUM> may input the image to a plurality of convolution layers and pooling layers to compress the image, combine the data of the image of the pooling layers with other determination information, and then further input the image to a plurality of convolution layers and pooling layers to compress the image, and output the degree of guarantee.

Although the case where the above-described learning model <NUM> outputs the degree of guarantee based on the determination information has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto. The deterioration degree may be output based on the determination information. The control unit <NUM> acquires the deterioration degree from the learning model <NUM>, and determines the degree of guarantee based on the deterioration degree.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a work support device <NUM> according to a third embodiment. The work support device <NUM> according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as the determination device <NUM> according to the first embodiment except that a program <NUM> is stored in the auxiliary storage unit <NUM> and the program <NUM> is installed in the auxiliary storage unit <NUM> by a recording medium <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> of a store of the battery <NUM> is connected to the work support device <NUM> via the network N such as the Internet.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing of determination by the control unit <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> acquires the vehicle type input by the staff member using the operation unit <NUM> (S241).

The control unit <NUM> transmits the vehicle type to the work support device <NUM> (S242).

The control unit <NUM> receives the vehicle type (S121).

The control unit <NUM> transmits the position information detected by the GPS receiving unit <NUM> to the work support device <NUM> (S243).

The control unit <NUM> receives the position information (S122).

The control unit <NUM> acquires the use state such as the use period and the travel distance input by the staff member using the operation unit <NUM> (S244).

The control unit <NUM> transmits the use state to the work support device <NUM> (S245).

The control unit <NUM> receives the use state (S123).

The control unit <NUM> acquires appearance information such as the liquid smear, the corrosion of a terminal, and the breakage of a container input by the staff member using the operation unit <NUM> (S246).

The control unit <NUM> transmits the appearance information to the work support device <NUM> (S247).

The control unit <NUM> receives the appearance information (S124).

The control unit <NUM> determines whether or not it is necessary to acquire an image of the next work (S125). The control unit <NUM> reads the determination history DB <NUM> and derives the deterioration degree based on the rule base of the relationship between the vehicle type, the position information, the use state, and the appearance information and the deterioration degree. The control unit <NUM> may derive the deterioration degree based on a value of a function based on the relationship and a threshold value. When determining that the deterioration degree is <NUM> and it is not necessary to acquire an image (S125: NO), the control unit <NUM> advances the processing to S132 and determines that the degree of guarantee is <NUM>.

When it is necessary to acquire an image (S125: YES), the control unit <NUM> transmits an instruction to acquire an image to the terminal <NUM> (S126).

The control unit <NUM> receives the instruction, displays the instruction on the display panel <NUM>, or outputs a voice from the speaker to prompt the staff member to acquire an image, and acquires an image of the battery <NUM> captured by the staff member using the camera <NUM> (S248).

The control unit <NUM> transmits the image to the work support device <NUM> (S249).

The control unit <NUM> receives the image (S127).

The control unit <NUM> determines whether or not an internal inspection of the next work is necessary (S128). The control unit <NUM> reads the determination history DB <NUM> and derives the deterioration degree based on the rule base of the relationship between the vehicle type, the position information, the use state, the appearance information, and the image and the deterioration degree. The control unit <NUM> may derive the deterioration degree based on a value of a function based on the relationship and a threshold value. When determining that the deterioration degree is <NUM> and the internal inspection is not necessary (S128: NO), the control unit <NUM> advances the processing to S132 and determines that the degree of guarantee is <NUM>.

When the internal inspection is necessary (S128: YES), the control unit <NUM> transmits an instruction of the internal inspection to the terminal <NUM> (S129).

The control unit <NUM> displays the instruction on the display panel <NUM> or outputs a voice from the speaker to prompt the staff member to perform the internal inspection, and acquires the internal inspection information (S250).

The control unit <NUM> transmits the internal inspection information to the work support device <NUM> (S251).

The control unit <NUM> receives the internal inspection information (S130).

The control unit <NUM> derives the deterioration degree based on the rule base of the relationship between the vehicle type, the position information, the use state, the appearance information, the image, and the internal inspection information and the deterioration degree (S131). The control unit <NUM> may derive the deterioration degree based on a value of a function based on the relationship and a threshold value.

The control unit <NUM> determines the degree of guarantee based on the deterioration degree (S132).

The control unit <NUM> transmits the determination result to the terminal <NUM> (S133), and ends the processing.

The control unit <NUM> receives the determination result (S252).

The control unit <NUM> displays the determination result on the display panel <NUM> (S253), and ends the processing.

According to the present embodiment, since the work support device <NUM> determines whether or not to perform the next determination work based on the result of one determination process, it is possible to omit an unnecessary determination process and to efficiently determine the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery. Note that the contents of the determination process are not limited to the above-described case.

Claim 1:
A determination device (<NUM>) comprising:
an acquisition unit (<NUM>) that acquires determination information for determining a degree of deterioration or guarantee of a lead-acid battery (<NUM>);
a determination unit (<NUM>) that determines the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery by referring to a database (<NUM>) that stores the determination information and the degree of deterioration or guarantee of the lead-acid battery (<NUM>) in association with each other based on the acquired determination information; and
an output unit (<NUM>) that outputs a result determined by the determination unit (<NUM>),
wherein the determination information is appearance information including liquid smear, corrosion of a terminal, or breakage of a container, or image information of the lead-acid battery (<NUM>).