Patent Description:
Conventionally, batteries (so-called secondary cells) have been used as a power supply source for an electric car. Examples of batteries include the battery packs discussed in <CIT> and <CIT>.

Recent years have seen the advent of a system for loaning out a plurality of batteries to users of electric cars. With this system, a battery is loaned out to a system user, and a returned battery is exchanged (swapped) with a charged battery when the used battery is returned from the user. This system is therefore called a battery swap system.

<CIT> discloses a sensor for a digitizer and a method of manufacturing the same. The sensor includes a magnetic layer having insulation; a first coil embedded in the magnetic layer; a second coil formed on one surface of the magnetic layer; and an insulating layer formed on one surface of the magnetic layer to cover the second coil. Thus, since the first coil and the second coil are formed on the magnetic layer formed of a magnetic material, a magnetic field is stably formed between coils and stability of signals transmitted and received between a coil and an input device is increased.

<CIT> discloses an electric battery for vehicles comprising accumulation means of electric charge connectable to the power supply line of a vehicle and electronic processing means suitable for managing and/or controlling the use and the state of the battery.

With the above battery swap system, a single battery that has been removed from the electric car is carried in by a user of the system. At this time, for example, there is a possibility that the user may damage the insides of the battery by accidentally dropping the battery. Because there is a possibility that a malfunction may occur in a battery that has been heavily damaged, it is preferable to stop such a battery from being loaned out. However, after a battery has been returned it is difficult to ascertain that the battery has been dropped. Therefore, there are times when it is unknown that a battery has been damaged while out on loan, which is a problem in that the batteries cannot be properly managed.

The present invention was conceived in light of the above problem, and it is an object thereof to properly manage batteries that are carried in alone.

A system in according with a first aspect of the invention has the features of claim <NUM>.

With the configuration of this system, the physical load that is exerted on a battery that is carried can be acquired by the physical load information acquisition component.

Consequently, workers will know how much of a physical load has been exerted on a battery while that battery is out on loan, and can therefore determine the degree of damage and the usage state, and manage the battery appropriately.

Furthermore, what kind of physical load the battery was subjected to while out on loan can be ascertained, so the degree of damage and the usage state can be determined, and the battery can be properly managed in a battery swap system. Also, the degree of damage of the battery can be calculated, and whether the battery should be inspected, repaired, discarded, etc., can be determined on the basis of the degree of damage.

In a system pertaining to a second aspect of the invention is the battery pertaining to the first invention, the physical load information acquisition component has at least one of the following: an acceleration sensor that senses acceleration information about the battery, a vibration sensor that acquires vibration information about the battery, a strain sensor that senses strain information about the battery, an impact sensor that acquires impact information about the battery, a pressure sensor that acquires pressure information about the battery, a tilt sensor that acquires inclination information about the battery, a position sensor that acquires position information about the battery, and a speed sensor that senses speed information about the battery.

For example, when the physical load information acquisition component has an acceleration sensor, acceleration information about the battery is acquired. Therefore, since the acceleration to which the battery was subjected can be ascertained on the basis of the acquired acceleration information, the degree of damage and the usage state of the battery can be determined. An acceleration sensor senses information such as in which direction the battery was dropped, for example.

Also, when the physical load information acquisition component has a vibration sensor, what type of vibration was exerted on the battery can be ascertained, so the degree of damage and the usage state of the battery can be determined.

When the physical load information acquisition component has a strain sensor, what type of shock or vibration was exerted on the battery can be ascertained, so the degree of damage and the usage state of the battery can be determined. A strain gauge can be used, for example, as the strain sensor. When a strain gauge is disposed on a plurality of faces of the battery, for example, information can be acquired indicating which face suffered an impact, on which face the battery was dropped, and so forth. Also, when a battery is configured to comprise a cell storage case that surrounds the cell in a case, strain sensors can be provided both to the cell storage case and the case, so it can be determined whether an image reached all the way to the inside, and the degree of damage can be determined more precisely.

When the physical load information acquisition component has an impact sensor, information about the impact to which the battery is subjected is acquired. Therefore, the degree of damage and the use state of the battery can be determined on the basis of the acquired impact information.

When the physical load information acquisition component has a pressure sensor, it is possible to ascertain how much pressure the battery is subjected to, so the degree of damage and the usage state of the battery can be determined. When pressure sensors are disposed on a plurality of the faces of the battery, it is possible to acquire information such as, for example, which face has been subjected to impact, and from which face it was dropped.

When the physical load information acquisition component has a tilt sensor, the inclination of the battery while it is out on loan can be sensed, and information related to the disposition orientation of the battery can be acquired.

When the physical load information acquisition component has a position sensor, information about the position of the battery can be acquired. Speed information and acceleration information can be estimated from this position information.

When the physical load information acquisition component has a speed sensor, the moving speed of the battery and the like can be acquired. Acceleration information can be estimated from this moving speed.

A system pertaining to a third aspect of the invention further comprises a storage component that stores the physical load information acquired by the physical load information acquisition component.

Consequently, information about the physical load exerted on the battery while it is out on loan can be recorded. Accordingly, when the battery is returned to the battery management device, the physical load information recorded to the battery can be used to determine the degree of damage and the usage state of the battery.

A system pertaining to a fourth aspect of the invention further comprises a communication component that sends the physical load information acquired by the physical load information to an information processing device that analyzes the physical load information.

Providing a communication component allows information about the physical load exerted on the battery while it is out on loan to be sent in real time to the information processing apparatus, which allows the degree of damage or the usage state of the battery to be determined.

In a system pertaining to a fifth aspect of the invention, the information processing device is a virtual server in cloud computing.

The information processing apparatus may thus be provided as a virtual server in cloud computing, and the communication component may transmit to the cloud computing system. The user can obtain the analysis results by accessing the cloud computing system.

In a system pertaining to a sixth aspect of the invention, the physical load information analysis component further has a usability determination component that determines whether or not the battery can be used, on the basis of the degree of damage calculated by the damage calculator.

This makes it possible to automatically determine whether to use the battery on the basis of the degree of damage.

In a system pertaining to a seventh aspect of the invention, the physical load information analysis component has a usage state determination component that uses information acquired by the output information acquisition component to determine a usage state of the battery.

This makes it possible to analyze the usage status of the battery while it is out on loan. Specifically, it can be determined that the renter of a battery is handling it roughly, and it is possible to bring this to the attention of that renter.

A battery management method pertaining to an eighth aspect of the invention has the features of claim <NUM>.

Consequently, it can be ascertained how much of a physical load was exerted on the battery while it was out on loan, so the degree of damage and the usage state can be determined, and the batteries in a battery swap system can be properly managed.

In a battery management method pertaining to an eleventh aspect of the invention, the physical load information analysis step has a damage calculation step and a usability determination step. The damage calculation step involves using the physical load information to calculate a degree of damage of the battery. The usability determination step involves determining whether or not the battery can be used, on the basis of the degree of damage calculated in the damage calculation step.

Consequently, the degree of damage of a battery can be calculated, and whether the battery should be inspected, repaired, discarded, etc., can be determined on the basis of the degree of damage.

Also, whether to use a battery can be determined automatically on the basis of the degree of damage.

In a battery management method pertaining to a twelfth aspect of the invention, the physical load information analysis step has a usage state determination step of using the physical load information acquired in the physical load information analysis step to determine a usage state of a battery.

This makes it possible to analyze the usage status of a battery while it is out on loan. Specifically, it can be determined that the renter of a battery is handling it roughly, and it is possible to bring this to the attention of that renter.

A battery management program pertaining to an eleventh aspect of the invention has the features of claim <NUM>.

This makes it possible to ascertain how much of a physical load is applied to a battery while it is out on loan, so the degree of damage and the usage state can be determined and the battery in a battery swap system can be properly managed.

One mode of utilization of the program may be a mode in which the program is transmitted over a transmission medium such as the Internet or a transmission medium such as light, radio waves, or sound waves, read by a computer, and run in conjunction with a computer. Also, the program may be provided to a server of a cloud computing system.

The recording medium pertaining to the fourteenth invention is a recording medium on which is recorded the battery management program according to Claim <NUM>, wherein the recording medium is configured to be processed by a computer.

Thus, one mode of utilization of the program may be a mode in which the program is to a recording medium such as a ROM.

With the present invention, batteries that are carried in alone can be properly managed.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing the configuration of a battery swap system <NUM> (hereinafter abbreviated as the system <NUM>) pertaining to Embodiment <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the system <NUM> includes a battery <NUM> and a battery management device <NUM>. Although only one battery <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, the system <NUM> actually includes a plurality of batteries <NUM>.

The system <NUM> loans out a plurality of batteries <NUM> to users of the system <NUM>. The batteries <NUM> are loaned to users of the system <NUM>, after which they are installed in a vehicle such as an electric car and used as a power supply source to the vehicle. After this, the battery <NUM> is returned to the station of the system <NUM>. The returned battery <NUM> is charged at the station and then loaned out again to another user of the system <NUM>.

Although not depicted in the drawings, the system <NUM> may further comprise a cell information acquisition component that acquires information about cells <NUM> (power storage units) using various sensors (such as a current sensor, a power sensor, a voltage sensor, or a temperature sensor). Also, the system may further comprise a usage load information acquisition component that acquires information about power usage load using various sensors (such as a current sensor, a power sensor, or a voltage sensor).

As shown in <FIG>, the battery <NUM> comprises a damage factor information acquisition component <NUM>, the cells <NUM>, an information output component <NUM>, an information accumulator <NUM>, a storage component <NUM>, a cell housing case <NUM>, and a CPU <NUM>. The parts of the battery <NUM> (more precisely, excluding an external environment information acquisition component 11b of the damage factor information acquisition component <NUM>) are housed in a case <NUM> (see <FIG>).

<FIG> is a diagram showing the configuration of the battery <NUM>, and shows an example of the layout of various sensors (discussed below). As shown in <FIG>, a plurality of cells <NUM> are disposed in close proximity to each other in the case <NUM>. These cells <NUM> are surrounded by the cell housing case <NUM> disposed inside the case <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> is disposed inside the case <NUM> and outside the cell housing case <NUM>. Nine of the cells <NUM> are disposed in three rows, in each of which three cells are disposed in a straight line. The CPU <NUM> is disposed on an electronic board 16a, and the electronic board 16a is surrounded by an electronic board housing case <NUM>.

The cell housing case <NUM> and the electronic board housing case <NUM> have the functions of protecting and waterproofing the components they house.

The damage factor information acquisition component <NUM> acquires damage factor information, which is information related to factors that damage a battery <NUM>. Damage factors include physical load, electronic load, thermal load, moisture, and the like. Examples of damage factors will be given below. The damage factor information acquired by the damage factor information acquisition component <NUM> is outputted to the information accumulator <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the damage factor information acquisition component <NUM> includes an internal environment information acquisition component 11a, an external environment information acquisition component 11b, and a physical load information acquisition component 11c.

<FIG> show examples of the layout of the damage factor information acquisition component <NUM> (the internal environment information acquisition component 11a, the external environment information acquisition component 11b, and the physical load information acquisition component 11c) in the case <NUM> of the battery <NUM>.

The internal environment information acquisition component 11a acquires information about the internal environment, which is the environment within the case <NUM> of the battery <NUM>, as damage factor information.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the internal environment information acquisition component 11a comprises case internal temperature sensors <NUM>, cell external temperature sensors <NUM>, submergence sensors <NUM>, and an electromagnetic wave sensor <NUM>. The case internal temperature sensors <NUM> sense the temperature inside the case <NUM>, the cell external temperature sensors <NUM> sense the temperature outside the cells <NUM>, and the submergence sensors <NUM> sense information indicating whether the battery <NUM> has been submerged. The internal environment information acquired by the internal environment information acquisition component 11a includes the values (sensing results) sensed by the case internal temperature sensors <NUM>, the cell external temperature sensors <NUM>, the submergence sensors <NUM>, and the electromagnetic wave sensor <NUM>.

The internal environment information acquisition component 11a need not include all of the above-mentioned types of sensors, and may include any one of these types of sensor.

As shown in <FIG>, the case internal temperature sensors <NUM> provided to the internal environment information acquisition component 11a are disposed in the four corners inside the case <NUM>, which is rectangular in shape, and the cell external temperature sensors <NUM> are disposed near the cells <NUM>. The cell external temperature sensors <NUM> are disposed inside the cell housing case <NUM> that surrounds the cells <NUM>.

The submergence sensors <NUM> can be, for example, a moisture detection sensor that reads a change in the resistance value when water adheres to it. The submersion sensors <NUM> may also detect submergence by sensing the color of a submergence detection seal with an image sensor. The submersion sensors <NUM> are disposed inside the cell housing case <NUM> along with the cells <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the submersion sensors <NUM> may be disposed inside the case <NUM> and outside the cell housing case <NUM>. Furthermore, the submergence sensors <NUM> may be disposed inside the electronic board housing case <NUM>. This makes it possible to determine up to what level water has penetrated.

The electromagnetic wave sensor <NUM> detects electromagnetic waves, and can detect that a device generating electromagnetic waves has approached the battery <NUM>, for example. As shown in <FIG>, the electromagnetic wave sensor <NUM> may be disposed inside the case <NUM> and in the vicinity of the CPU <NUM>. Disposing the electromagnetic wave sensor <NUM> in the vicinity of the CPU <NUM> allows the effect on the CPU <NUM> to be sensed.

As shown in <FIG>, the internal environment information acquisition component 11a may also comprise one or more of the following: a humidity sensor <NUM>, an image sensor <NUM>, a gas sensor <NUM>, an ultrasonic sensor <NUM>, a magnetic sensor <NUM>, and a radio wave sensor <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram showing an example of the layout of these sensors.

As shown in <FIG>, the humidity sensors <NUM> may be disposed inside the cell housing case <NUM> or outside the cell housing case <NUM>, and inside the case <NUM>. The humidity sensors <NUM> sense the humidity inside the case <NUM>. The humidity sensors <NUM> may be housed inside the cell housing case <NUM>. It is also possible to detect water wetting with the humidity sensors <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, for example, the image sensor <NUM> may be disposed on an inner face of the case <NUM>. The image sensor <NUM> can detect intrusion of foreign matter such as dust, for example.

As shown in <FIG>, for example, the gas sensors <NUM> may be disposed inside the case <NUM> and inside or outside the cell housing case <NUM>. The gas sensors <NUM> can detect the incursion of gas into the case <NUM> and can sense the environment in which the battery <NUM> was disposed while it was out on loan. The ultrasonic sensor <NUM> may be disposed inside the case <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The magnetic sensor <NUM> and the radio wave sensor <NUM> may be disposed inside the case <NUM> and in the vicinity of the CPU <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Disposing the magnetic sensor <NUM> and the radio wave sensor <NUM> in the vicinity of the CPU <NUM> allows the effect on the CPU <NUM> to be detected.

When the internal environment information acquisition component 11a comprises the above-mentioned types of sensors, the internal environment information acquired by the internal environment information acquisition component 11a includes the values (sensing results) sensed by the humidity sensors <NUM>, the image sensor <NUM>, the gas sensors <NUM>, the ultrasonic sensor <NUM>, the magnetic sensor <NUM>, and the radio wave sensor <NUM>.

A vibration sensor <NUM> of the physical load information acquisition component 11c (discussed below) may be had by the internal environment information acquisition component 11a.

Also, there are no limitations on the positions and numbers of the sensors described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

The external environment information acquisition component 11b acquires information about the external environment, which is the environment outside the case <NUM> of the battery <NUM>, as damage factor information.

As shown in <FIG>, the external environment information acquisition component 11b comprises case external temperature sensors <NUM> and sunlight sensors <NUM>. The external environment information includes the sensing values produced by the case external temperature sensors <NUM> and the sunlight sensors <NUM>.

The external environment information acquisition component 11b need not include both of the above-mentioned two types of sensor, and may include just one of them.

As shown in <FIG>, the case external temperature sensors <NUM> and the sunlight sensors <NUM> of the external environment information acquisition component 11b are disposed at the four corners on the outside of the rectangular case <NUM>. The case external temperature sensors <NUM> can measure the temperature outside the case <NUM>. More precisely, as will be discussed below, the temperature of the cells <NUM> can be accurately sensed on the basis of the values sensed by the case internal temperature sensors <NUM> and the cell external temperature sensors <NUM>.

The sunlight sensors <NUM> sense how long the battery <NUM> is exposed to the sun, and can detect, for example, that the battery <NUM> is left in the sunshine by the user.

The external environment information acquisition component 11b may comprise one or more of the following: an illuminance sensor <NUM>, an image sensor <NUM>, a gas sensor <NUM>, an ultrasonic sensor <NUM>, a magnetic sensor <NUM>, a radio wave sensor <NUM>, a submergence sensor <NUM>, and a humidity sensor <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the illuminance sensor <NUM> is disposed on the outer surface of the case <NUM>, for example, and can sense the brightness of the light that shines on the battery <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the image sensor <NUM> is disposed, for example, on the outer surface of the case <NUM>, and can sense, as an image, the environment where the battery <NUM> is disposed. The image sensor <NUM> makes it possible to detect that the battery was placed in an environment in which foreign matter such as dust was suspended, for example. As shown in <FIG>, the gas sensor <NUM> is disposed on the outer surface of the case <NUM>, for example, and can sense the environment in which the battery <NUM> was disposed while out on loan. As shown in <FIG>, the sound wave sensor <NUM> is disposed on the outer surface of the case <NUM>, for example, and can detect sound waves. The magnetic sensor <NUM> and the radio wave sensor <NUM> may be disposed on the outer surface of the case <NUM> and in the vicinity of the CPU <NUM>. Disposing the magnetic sensor <NUM> and the radio wave sensor <NUM> in the vicinity of the CPU <NUM> allows the effect on the CPU <NUM> to be sensed.

The submergence sensor <NUM> is provided outside the case <NUM>, and just as with the above-mentioned submersion sensor <NUM>, submersion may be detected using a moisture detection sensor, or may be detected by sensing the color of a submergence detection seal by an image sensor. The submersion sensor <NUM> can detect that the case <NUM> has been wetted with water.

The humidity sensor <NUM> is provided outside of the case <NUM>, and senses the humidity outside the battery <NUM>.

In <FIG>, only one of each of the illuminance sensor <NUM>, the image sensor <NUM>, the gas sensor <NUM>, the ultrasonic sensor <NUM>, the magnetic sensor <NUM>, the radio wave sensor <NUM>, the submergence sensor <NUM>, and the humidity sensor <NUM> is provided, but it is preferable for a plurality of them to be disposed around the case <NUM>, as with the case external temperature sensors <NUM> and the humidity sensor <NUM> in <FIG>. For example, in the case of the illuminance sensor <NUM>, it is preferably provided on all sides so that it can perform its sensing no matter which side is facing the sun.

The physical load information acquisition component 11c acquires physical load information, which is information about the physical load to which the battery <NUM> is subjected, as damage factor information.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the physical load information acquisition component 11c comprises an acceleration sensor <NUM>, a vibration sensor <NUM>, a strain sensor <NUM>, and an impact sensor <NUM>. The physical load information includes the various values sensed by the acceleration sensor <NUM>, the vibration sensor <NUM>, the strain sensor <NUM>, and the impact sensor <NUM>. The acceleration sensor <NUM>, the vibration sensor <NUM>, and the impact sensor <NUM> acquire mutually different acceleration information (acceleration, vibration, impact). However, the physical load information acquisition component 11c may comprise at least one sensor that acquires acceleration information about the battery <NUM>.

The physical load information acquisition component 11c need not include all of the types of sensors mentioned above, and may comprise a sensor of any one type.

In <FIG>, the acceleration sensor <NUM> of the physical load information acquisition component 11c is disposed in one corner of the case <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. The acceleration sensor <NUM> may be disposed anywhere inside or outside the battery <NUM> (on an outer face of the case <NUM>, etc.).

When the physical load information acquisition component 11c has the acceleration sensor <NUM>, acceleration information about battery <NUM> is acquired. Therefore, how much acceleration the battery <NUM> was subjected to can be ascertained on the basis of the acquired acceleration information, so the degree of damage and the usage state of the battery can be determined. Also, the acceleration sensor <NUM> can be used to sense information such as the direction in which the battery <NUM> was dropped, for example.

As shown in <FIG>, the vibration sensor <NUM> is disposed in the case <NUM>, but just as with the acceleration sensor <NUM>, the vibration sensor <NUM> may be disposed anywhere inside or outside the battery <NUM> (such as on an outer face of the case <NUM>). The vibration sensor <NUM> senses what kind of vibration the battery <NUM> was subjected to (vibration information), so the degree of damage and the usage state of the battery <NUM> can be determined.

As shown in <FIG>, the strain sensor <NUM> is provided on an inner wall of the case <NUM>, for example, and senses information about the strain on the case <NUM> produced by the physical load exerted on the case <NUM>. The strain sensor <NUM> senses what kind of impact or the like the battery <NUM> was subjected to, so the degree of damage and the usage state of the battery <NUM> can be determined. A strain gauge can be used as the strain sensor <NUM>, for example. Also, strain sensors <NUM> may be disposed on all of the faces of the case <NUM>, which will allow information such as which face is subjected to a load (such as which face is subjected to an impact, on which face the battery is dropped, or other such information) to be sensed. The strain sensor <NUM> may be provided on either an inner or outer face of the case <NUM>. Also, when strain sensors <NUM> are provided to both the cell housing case <NUM> and the case <NUM> surrounding the cells <NUM>, it can be determined whether or not an impact has reached the inside, and the degree of damage can be determined more precisely. Furthermore, when the strain sensor <NUM> is provided to the electronic board housing case <NUM> that houses the electronic board in the battery <NUM>, it can be determined whether an impact has reached the electronic board 16a.

As shown in <FIG>, the impact sensor <NUM> is disposed in the case <NUM>, but just as with the acceleration sensor <NUM>, the impact sensor <NUM> may be disposed anywhere inside or outside the battery <NUM> (such as on an outer face of the case <NUM>). The impact sensor <NUM> senses impacts to which the battery <NUM> is subjected (impact information), so the degree of damage and the usage state of the battery <NUM> can be determined.

The physical load information acquisition component 11c may comprise at least one of the following: a pressure sensor <NUM>, a tilt sensor <NUM>, a position sensor <NUM>, and a speed sensor <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the pressure sensor <NUM>, the tilt sensor <NUM>, the position sensor <NUM>, and the speed sensor <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the pressure sensor <NUM> is disposed outside the case <NUM>, and can sense the pressure to which the battery <NUM> is subjected. Because the pressure to which the battery was subjected (pressure information) can thus be ascertained, the degree of damage and the usage state of the battery <NUM> can be determined. Although the pressure sensor <NUM> is disposed at only one site in <FIG>, pressure sensors <NUM> can be disposed on a plurality of faces of the battery <NUM> in order to acquire information such as which face was subjected to an impact, or on which face the battery was dropped.

An air pressure sensor may also be used as the pressure sensor <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, when an air pressure sensor <NUM> is provided in the cell housing case <NUM> of the case <NUM>, when the case <NUM> (a sealed container) is damaged, it will be possible to detect minute damage.

As shown in <FIG>, the tilt sensor <NUM> is disposed inside the casing <NUM>, and senses inclination of the battery <NUM> while it is out on loan (inclination information). This makes it possible to acquire information related to the disposition orientation of the battery <NUM> while it is out on loan.

The position sensor <NUM> is disposed inside the casing <NUM> in <FIG>, and senses the position in the height direction of the battery <NUM> (position information). Thus sensing the position in the height direction allows speed and acceleration to be calculated.

As shown in <FIG>, the speed sensor <NUM> is disposed inside the casing <NUM>, and senses the speed of the battery <NUM> (speed information). Acceleration information can be calculated from the movement speed of the battery <NUM>.

Examples of factors that cause damage to the battery <NUM> will be described through reference to <FIG> and <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> show examples of damage factors by which the battery <NUM> is damaged when the internal environment of the battery <NUM> is changed. In <FIG>, electromagnetic waves applied to the battery <NUM> (electronic load) are a damage factor, and in <FIG>, moisture entering the interior of the battery <NUM> (water wetting) is a damage factor. As shown in <FIG>, when the battery <NUM> is irradiated with electromagnetic waves, the CPU <NUM> of the battery <NUM> may malfunction and the interior of the battery <NUM> may be damaged. Also, as shown in <FIG>, when the battery <NUM> is submerged in water, moisture that finds its way into the interior of the battery <NUM> tends to produce condensation inside the battery <NUM>. Water droplets produced by this condensation can lead to malfunction of the CPU <NUM> of the battery <NUM>, so this is a factor that can damage the battery <NUM>.

<FIG> show examples of damage factors by which the battery <NUM> is damaged by changing the external environment of the battery <NUM>. In <FIG>, direct sunlight shining on the battery <NUM> when the battery is left outdoors, etc., (thermal load) is a damage factor. When the battery <NUM> is exposed to direct sunlight, the temperature of the battery <NUM> rises. Also, in <FIG>, a high temperature to which the battery <NUM> is exposed (thermal load) is a damage factor. When the battery <NUM> is exposed to a high temperature, the temperature of the battery <NUM> rises. When the battery <NUM> is left at a high temperature for an extended period of time, there is a possibility that the battery <NUM> will be damaged.

<FIG> show examples of physical load as a damage factor. In <FIG>, an impact to which the battery <NUM> is subjected (physical load) is a damage factor. As shown in <FIG>, when the user of the system <NUM> drops the battery <NUM>, there will be a collision between the battery <NUM> and the ground, and the battery <NUM> will be subjected to a powerful impact. Also, as shown in <FIG>, when a vehicle in which the battery <NUM> is installed collides with another vehicle, the battery <NUM> will be subjected indirectly to a powerful impact (physical load). When the battery <NUM> is thus subjected to a large impact, there is the possibility that the interior of the battery <NUM> (mainly the structural components, supporting members that support these components, etc.) will separate or break.

The cells <NUM> are cells of a secondary battery. As shown in <FIG>, the battery <NUM> comprises a plurality of cells <NUM>. Each cell <NUM> can be charged with electricity supplied from outside of the battery <NUM>, and can discharge the stored electric power. Switching between charging and discharging of the cells <NUM> is controlled by the CPU <NUM>.

The information accumulator <NUM> stores the damage factor information inputted from the damage factor information acquisition component <NUM> in the storage component <NUM>. Also, the information accumulator <NUM> outputs the damage factor information accumulated in the storage component <NUM> to the information output component <NUM>. The information output component <NUM> outputs the damage factor information inputted from the information accumulator <NUM> as output information to an output information acquisition component <NUM> of the battery management device <NUM>.

The information accumulator <NUM> stores damage factor information in the storage component <NUM>. The damage factor information includes the internal environment information acquired by the internal environment information acquisition component 11a, the external environment information acquired by the external environment information acquisition component 11b, and the physical load information acquired by the physical load information acquisition component 11c.

As shown in <FIG>, the battery management device <NUM> comprises a controller <NUM> (information processing device) and a display component <NUM>. The controller <NUM> comprises the output information acquisition component <NUM>, a damage calculator <NUM>, and a usability determination component <NUM>. The components of the controller <NUM> use the output information outputted from the battery <NUM> (that is, damage factor information) to calculate the damage degree of the battery <NUM> and to execute usability determination processing of determining whether or not the battery <NUM> can continue to be used. The controller <NUM> then causes the display component <NUM> to display the determination result of the usability determining processing. In a modification example, the controller <NUM> may present the determination result of the usability determining processing to the user by some means other than a display. The usability determination processing will be described in detail below. Also, the damage calculator <NUM> and the usability determination component <NUM> correspond to examples of a physical load information analysis component.

The output information acquisition component <NUM> acquires output information from the information output component <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. The output information acquired by the output information acquisition component <NUM> is the damage factor information acquired by the damage factor information acquisition component <NUM> of the battery <NUM>, and includes internal environment information, external environment information, and physical load information. The output information acquisition component <NUM> outputs the acquired output information to the damage calculator <NUM>.

The damage calculator <NUM> uses the output information inputted from the output information acquisition component <NUM> to calculate the four types of degree of damage described below (the degree of physical load damage, the degree of temperature load damage, the degree of electronic load damage, and the degree of water wetting damage). Information related to the calculated degree of damage is then outputted to the usability determination component <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the damage calculator <NUM> includes a water wetting damage calculator 212a, an electronic load damage calculator 212b, a temperature load damage calculator 212c, and a physical load damage calculator 212d. In a modification example, the damage calculator <NUM> may calculate some index other than degree of damage, so long as it is one that indicates the usage state of the battery.

The water wetting damage calculator 212a calculates the degree of water wetting damage, which is the degree of damage to the battery <NUM> caused by water wetting (see <FIG>). To that end, the water wetting damage calculator 212a selects internal environment information from the output information. As described above, the internal environment information includes the various values sensed by the case internal temperature sensors <NUM>, the cell external temperature sensors <NUM>, the submergence sensors <NUM>, and the electromagnetic wave sensor <NUM>. The water wetting damage calculator 212a uses the values sensed by the submergence sensors <NUM> to calculate the degree of water wetting damage to the battery <NUM>. Alternatively, when the internal environment information acquisition component 11a is equipped with the humidity sensors <NUM>, the water wetting damage calculator 212a can also use the values sensed by the humidity sensors <NUM> to calculate the degree of water wetting damage to the battery <NUM>.

For example, the degree of water wetting damage may correspond to the frequency of malfunction of the CPU <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. In this case, the correlation (mathematical model) between the values sensed by the submergence sensors <NUM> and the frequency of malfunction of the CPU <NUM> of the battery <NUM> is learned in advance by experimentation. The water wetting damage calculator 212a calculates the degree of water wetting damage (the frequency of malfunction due to water wetting) from the values sensed by the submergence sensors <NUM>, on the basis of the learned correlation.

The electronic load damage calculator 212b calculates the degree of electronic load damage, which is the degree of damage to the battery <NUM> due to electronic load (see <FIG>). Electronic load includes radio waves, magnetism, and electromagnetic waves to which the battery <NUM> is exposed. The electronic load damage calculator 212b selects internal environment information from the output information. The electronic load damage calculator 212b uses the value sensed by the electromagnetic wave sensor <NUM> of the internal environment information acquisition component 11a to calculate the degree of electronic load damage. Alternatively, when the internal environment information acquisition component 11a is equipped with the magnetic sensor <NUM> and the radio wave sensor <NUM>, the electronic load damage calculator 212b can use the value sensed by the magnetic sensor <NUM>, the value sensed by the radio wave sensor <NUM>, or a combination of these to calculate the degree of electronic load damage to the battery <NUM>.

For example, when the degree of electronic load damage corresponds to the frequency of malfunction of the CPU <NUM> of the battery <NUM>, the correlation between the value sensed by the electromagnetic wave sensor <NUM> and the frequency of occurrence of malfunction of the CPU <NUM> of the battery <NUM> is learned in advance by experimentation. The electronic load damage calculator 212b calculates the degree of electronic load damage (the frequency of malfunction due to electronic load) from the value sensed by the electromagnetic wave sensor <NUM> on the basis of the learned correlation.

The temperature load damage calculator 212c uses the temperature inside the cells <NUM> (the cell internal temperature) to calculate the degree of damage to the battery <NUM> due to temperature load (degree of temperature load damage) (see <FIG>).

For example, when the degree of temperature load damage corresponds to the frequency of malfunction of the CPU <NUM> of the battery <NUM>, the correlation between the cell internal temperature and the frequency of occurrence of malfunction of the CPU <NUM> of the battery <NUM> is learned in advance by experimentation. The temperature load damage calculator 212c then calculates the degree of temperature load damage (the frequency of malfunction due to temperature load) from the cell internal temperature on the basis of the learned correlation.

Here, since the damage factor information acquisition component <NUM> is not equipped with temperature sensors in the cells <NUM> (see <FIG>), the cell internal temperature cannot be acquired. In view of this, the temperature load damage calculator 212c selects external environment information and internal environment information from the output information. The temperature load damage calculator 212c then estimates the cell internal temperature from the temperature around the cells <NUM> (that is, the values sensed by the case internal temperature sensors <NUM> and the cell external temperature sensors <NUM> of the internal environment information acquisition component 11a, and the values sensed by the case external temperature sensors <NUM> of the external environment information acquisition component 11b). The specific method for estimating cell internal temperature will be described in detail below.

The physical load damage calculator 212d calculates the degree of damage to the battery <NUM> (mainly the structural components) due to physical load (degree of physical load damage) (see <FIG>). To that end, the physical load damage calculator 212d selects physical load information from the output information. The physical load damage calculator 212d uses the values sensed by the acceleration sensor <NUM>, the vibration sensor <NUM>, the strain sensor <NUM>, and the impact sensor <NUM> of the physical load information acquisition component 11c to calculate the degree of physical load damage.

For example, the degree of physical load damage may correspond to the amount of separation and breakage of the structural components and support members of the battery <NUM>. In this case, the correlation between the values sensed by the acceleration sensor <NUM>, the vibration sensor <NUM>, the strain sensor <NUM>, and the impact sensor <NUM> and the amount of separation and breakage of the structural components and support members of the battery <NUM> is learned in advance by experimentation. The physical load damage calculator 212d then calculates the degree of physical load damage (the amount of separation and breakage due to physical load) from the values sensed by the acceleration sensor <NUM>, the vibration sensor <NUM>, the strain sensor <NUM>, and the impact sensor <NUM>.

The usability determination component <NUM> determines whether or not the four kinds of degree of damage calculated by the various components of the damage calculator <NUM> (the degree of physical load damage, the degree of temperature load damage, the degree of electronic load damage, and the degree of water wetting damage) exceed their respective thresholds. Then, when at least one of the degrees of damage exceeds its threshold, the usability determination component <NUM> determines that the battery <NUM> cannot be continued to be used. On the other hand, when all four kinds of degree of damage are at or under their thresholds, the usability determination component <NUM> determines that it is possible to continue using the battery <NUM>. The threshold may be different for each type of degree of damage.

The above-mentioned threshold may be decided using experimental data showing the correlation between the degree of damage and the damage factors (electronic load, water wetting, electronic load, physical load). The specific method for deciding the thresholds will be described in detail below.

The flow of usability determination processing executed by the controller <NUM> will now be described through reference to <FIG> is a flowchart showing the flow of the usability determination processing. However, S10 and S20 shown in <FIG> are executed in the battery <NUM> as a preliminary stage to usability determination processing by the controller <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in the usability determination processing, the damage factor information acquisition component <NUM> acquires damage factor information, and the information accumulator <NUM> stores the damage factor information in the storage component <NUM> (S10).

Next, the information output component <NUM> outputs the damage factor information as output information (S20). The output information acquisition component <NUM> acquires the output information outputted from the information output component <NUM>, that is, the damage factor information (S30, physical load information acquisition step).

The various components of the damage calculator <NUM> use the output information acquired from the output information acquisition component <NUM> (damage factor information) to calculate the degree of damage to the battery <NUM> (S40, physical load information analysis step, damage calculation step). The usability determination component <NUM> determines whether or not the degree of damage to the battery <NUM> calculated by the damage calculator <NUM> is at or below the threshold (S50, physical load information analysis step, usability determination step). More precisely, the usability determination component <NUM> determines whether or not each of the four types of degree of damage calculated by the damage calculator <NUM> is at or below the threshold.

When degree of damage to the battery <NUM> (at least one of the four types of degree of damage) is not at or below the threshold (No in S50), the usability determination component <NUM> causes the display component <NUM> to display a message of "cannot continue using battery <NUM>" (S60). On the other hand, when the degree of damage to the battery <NUM> is at or below the threshold (Yes in S50), the usability determination component <NUM> causes the display component <NUM> to display a message of "can continue using battery <NUM>" (S70). This concludes the usability determination processing.

How the temperature load damage calculator 212c calculates the temperature inside the cells <NUM> (cell internal temperature) using the case external temperature, the case internal temperature, and the cell external temperature will be described through reference to <FIG> is a diagram showing an example of the result of estimating the cell internal temperature with the temperature load damage calculator 212c. Let us consider two cases: when the case external temperature is higher than the case internal temperature and the cell external temperature, and when the case external temperature is lower than the case internal temperature and the cell external temperature. We will assume the cell external temperature to be the same in both cases. The case external temperature is sensed by the case external temperature sensors <NUM>, the case internal temperature is sensed by the case internal temperature sensors <NUM>, and the cell external temperature is sensed by the cell external temperature sensors <NUM>.

Since the case external temperature corresponds to the outside air temperature, when the case external temperature is higher than the case internal temperature and cell external temperature, the outside air temperature is considered to be higher than the cell internal temperature. Also, the cell internal temperature is considered less likely than the cell external temperature to be affected by the outside air temperature. Therefore, when the case external temperature is higher than the case internal temperature and the cell external temperature (in <FIG>, when the outside air temperature is high), the cell internal temperature is considered to be lower than outside the cell external temperature. In view of this, the temperature load damage calculator 212c estimates the cell internal temperature to be lower than the cell external temperature by extending a curve that passes through the case external temperature, the case internal temperature, and the cell external temperature, as shown in <FIG>.

On the other hand, when the case external temperature is lower than the case internal temperature and the cell external temperature, the cell internal temperature is considered to be higher than the outside air temperature because of heat generated inside the cells <NUM>. Also, when heat is generated inside the cells <NUM>, the cell internal temperature is considered to be higher than the cell external temperature. Therefore, when the cell external temperature is lower than the case internal temperature and the case external temperature (in <FIG>, when the outside air temperature is low), the cell internal temperature is considered to be higher than the cell external temperature. In view of this, the temperature load damage calculator 212c estimates the cell internal temperature to be higher than the cell external temperature by extending a curve that passes through the case external temperature, the case internal temperature, and the cell external temperature, as shown in <FIG>.

How the threshold used by the usability determination component <NUM> to make its determination is decided will be described through reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. Here, let us consider a case in which the damage factors are physical load (acceleration, vibration, strain, and impact). To decide on a threshold experimentally, with a physical load is applied to the battery <NUM>, the values sensed by the acceleration sensor <NUM>, the vibration sensor <NUM>, the strain sensor <NUM>, and the impact sensor <NUM> of the physical load information acquisition component 11c are each acquired.

<FIG> is a graph showing examples of the sensed values acquired by the physical load information acquisition component 11c. As shown in <FIG>, the physical load information acquisition component 11c acquires the sensed values for the acceleration, vibration, strain, and impact to which the battery <NUM> is subjected. The maximum values for the sensed values during the period in which the physical load is applied are specified as the damage factors of the battery <NUM>. After this, the degree of damage to the battery <NUM> is determined. This yields a set of experimental data indicating the relation between the degree of damage and a damage factor of the battery <NUM> (sensed value for acceleration). It is further determined whether or not a battery <NUM> whose degree of damage has been determined has been damaged to the extent that it cannot continued to be used.

<FIG> is a graph plotting experimental data indicating the relation between the degree of damage and a damage factor of the battery <NUM> (sensed value for acceleration). The experimental data shown in <FIG> includes experimental data for batteries <NUM> that have been damaged to the extent that they cannot continue to be used (in <FIG>, the experimental data marked "unusable"), and experimental data for batteries <NUM> that have not been damaged to this extent (in <FIG>, the experimental data marked "usable"). As shown in <FIG>, the threshold for acceleration is decided to be a value that can distinguish "unusable" experimental data from "usable" experimental data. The threshold of the degree of damage is decided to be a value corresponding to the threshold of acceleration, using the correlation between acceleration and the degree of damage.

A battery swap system <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM> of the pressure information (hereinafter referred to as the system <NUM>) will now be described.

The system <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, differs from the system <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM> in that the system <NUM> comprises a usage state determination component <NUM> (physical load information analysis component). Therefore, the description will focus on this difference. Those components that are the same as in Embodiment <NUM> will be numbered the same.

A controller <NUM> of a battery management device <NUM> in the battery swap system <NUM> shown in <FIG> further has the usage state determination component <NUM> in addition to the output information acquisition component <NUM>, the damage calculator <NUM>, and the usability determination component <NUM>.

The battery management device <NUM> determines the usage state of the battery <NUM> on the basis of the internal environment information, the external environment information, and the physical load information acquired by the output information acquisition component <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart of the usage state determination processing (battery management method) in Embodiment <NUM>. From S10 to S30, the flowchart shown in <FIG> is the same as <FIG> in Embodiment <NUM>.

Using the output information acquired in S30, in S40 (usage state determination step, physical load information analysis step) the usage state determination component <NUM> determines the usage state of the battery <NUM> while it was out on loan. Here, the determination of the usage state is, for example, determining whether or not the user used the battery correctly, or whether the user used the battery correctly but the battery was subjected to a damage factor due to an environmental factor, or the battery was subjected to a damage factor due to how the battery was used by the user, etc. More specifically, it can be determined that the battery <NUM> was subjected to a damage factor because the user left the battery <NUM> exposed to the sun, or that the battery <NUM> was subjected to a damage factor because it rose to a temperature not likely to be the outside air temperature. The usage state determination component <NUM> may also determine the usage state on the basis of an index that indicates the usage state calculated by the damage calculator <NUM>.

Next, in S50, the display component <NUM> displays the determined usage state. A display is not the only option here, and the battery management device <NUM> may have a communication component, and the determined usage state may be sent to a portable information terminal (smart phone, tablet, etc.) owned by the user. For example, when the usage state determination component <NUM> determines that damage has been caused by the user, a warning or the like may be sent to the portable information terminal of the user.

As shown in <FIG>, a configuration in which the sunlight sensors <NUM> are disposed on the outside of the case <NUM> of the battery <NUM> and the case internal temperature sensors <NUM> are disposed on the inside of the case <NUM> will be described as an example.

The usage state determination component <NUM> determines the cause for the temperature information on the basis of the sensed values from the sunlight sensors <NUM> and the sensed values from the case internal temperature sensors <NUM>. More specifically, when the values from the case internal temperature sensors <NUM> have risen, the usage state determination component <NUM> can determine from the values sensed by the sunlight sensors <NUM> whether the increase in the temperature inside the case <NUM> is "due to the battery <NUM> being left in sunlight" or is "due to a rise in the outside air temperature.

When the temperature rise is "due to the battery <NUM> being left in sunlight," the usage state determination component <NUM> displays a warning on the display component <NUM>. The battery management device <NUM> may comprise a communication component, and a warning may be sent to a portable information terminal (smart phone, tablet, etc.) of the user.

On the other hand, when the temperature information is "due to a rise in the outside air temperature," the usage state determination component <NUM> does not give a display or a notification to the user since there is a limit to what can be done on the user side.

When we say that the usage state determination component <NUM> determines the usage state on the basis of an index indicating the usage state calculated by the damage calculator <NUM>, it means, for example, that sunlight exposure time is converted into an index to calculate the degree of damage, and when the degree of damage due to sunlight exposure time is at or over a specific length of time, the user is determined to be the cause.

Also, the cell external temperature sensors <NUM> may be further provided as sensors of the temperature inside the case <NUM>, in addition to the case internal temperature sensors <NUM>. That is, different kinds of sensors may be provided outside and inside the case <NUM>, and a plurality of sensors of the same type may be provided inside the case <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a configuration in which the submergence sensors <NUM> are disposed in the electronic board housing case <NUM> and the cell housing case <NUM> will be described as an example.

The usage state determination component <NUM> can determine which region in the battery <NUM> was submerged, and make an evaluation of the flooding range. For example, when the electronic board housing case <NUM> has been flooded, but the cell housing case <NUM> has not been flooded, the electronic board 16a is replaced, but there is a high probability that the cells <NUM> can be checked and reused. On the other hand, when the cell housing case <NUM> is flooded, it will be necessary to replace the cells <NUM>.

Thus, the usage state determination component <NUM> can determine a submerged usage state, which is helpful in repair and replacement. The submergence sensors <NUM> may also be disposed on the outside of the cell housing case <NUM> and the inside of the case <NUM>.

Also, when a plurality of submergence sensors <NUM> are attached, degree of damage values may be set for water incursion into the case <NUM>, for water incursion into the electronic board housing case <NUM>, and for water incursion into the cell housing case <NUM>, and the degree of damage calculated.

The control blocks (particularly the output information acquisition component <NUM>, the damage calculator <NUM>, the usability determination component <NUM>, and the usage state determination component <NUM>) of the battery management devices <NUM> and <NUM> may be realized by a logic circuit formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip), etc. (hardware), or by software using a CPU (central processing unit).

In the latter case, the control blocks of the battery management devices <NUM> and <NUM> comprise a CPU that executes the commands of a program (battery management program), which is software for carrying out various functions, a ROM (read only memory) or a storage device (these are referred to as "recording media") in which the above-mentioned program and various kinds of data are recorded so as to be readable by a computer (or CPU), a RAM (random access memory) for developing the program, etc. The computer (or CPU) then reads the program from the recording medium and executes the program, thereby achieving the object of the present invention. The recording medium can be a "non-transitory tangible medium," such as a tape, disk, card, semiconductor memory, or programmable logic circuit. Also, the above-mentioned program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium capable of transmitting the program (a communication network, a broadcast wave, etc.). The present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

Embodiments of the present invention were described above, but the present invention is not limited to or by the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

With the systems <NUM> and <NUM> in the above embodiments, the external environment information acquisition component 11b and the internal environment information acquisition component 11a are provided in addition to the physical load information acquisition component 11c, but the external environment information acquisition component 11b and the internal environment information acquisition component 11a need not be provided.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a battery swap system <NUM> (hereinafter referred to as the system <NUM>) in which the external environment information acquisition component 11b and the internal environment information acquisition component 11a are not provided. The system <NUM> shown in <FIG> comprises a battery <NUM> and a battery management device <NUM>. The battery <NUM> differs from the battery <NUM> shown in <FIG> in that the internal environment information acquisition component 11a and the external environment information acquisition component 11b are not provided, and only the physical load information acquisition component 11c is provided as a damage factor information acquisition component. The controller <NUM> of the battery management device <NUM> differs from the controller <NUM> of the battery management component <NUM> shown in <FIG> in that the water wetting damage calculator 212a, the electronic load damage calculator 212b and the temperature load damage calculator 212c are not provided, and only the physical load damage calculator 212d is provided as a damage calculator.

That is, with the system <NUM>, the physical load applied to the battery <NUM> is acquired by the physical load information acquisition component 11c and stored in the storage component <NUM>. The battery management device <NUM> then acquires the stored physical load, and the physical load damage calculator 212d calculates the degree of damage to determine whether the battery is usable.

With the systems <NUM> and <NUM> in the above embodiments, the internal environment information, the external environment information, and the physical load information acquired by the damage factor information acquisition component <NUM> are stored in the storage component <NUM> via the information accumulator <NUM>, but this is not the only option. For example, with the battery <NUM> of the battery swap system <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the internal environment information, the external environment information, and the physical load information acquired by the damage factor information acquisition component <NUM> are sent in real time by a communication component <NUM> to the battery management device <NUM>. The output information acquisition component <NUM> of the battery management device <NUM> is configured to be able to communicate wirelessly with a communication component <NUM>. The battery management device <NUM> calculates the degree of damage for damage factor information that is sequentially transmitted. Instead of real-time communication, the configuration may be such that the storage component <NUM> is provided along with a communication component <NUM> to a battery <NUM>, and information for a specific length of time is stored in the storage component <NUM> and then transmitted.

Also, in the battery swap system <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> (information processing device) of the battery management device <NUM> may be a virtual server in a cloud computing system. In this case, the physical load information, the external environment information, and the internal environment information are sent from the communication component <NUM> to the cloud computing system. The information is then analyzed at the virtual server, and the user can obtain the analysis result by accessing the cloud computing system.

The system <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM> above comprises the usage state determination component <NUM>, the damage calculator <NUM>, and the usability determination component <NUM>, but the damage calculator <NUM> and the usability determination component <NUM> need not be provided. In this case, only the determination of the usage state is performed.

Although not particularly mentioned in the above embodiments, the battery management devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be provided to a station where batteries <NUM> are loaned out, a system encompassing a plurality of stations, or the like. The display component <NUM> of the battery management devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may utilize the screen of a smart phone, tablet, or the like of the user.

The layout of the various sensors illustrated in <FIG> in Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM> above is just an example, and the layout and number of the various sensors may be changed as needed.

In the above embodiments, the cell housing case <NUM> for housing a plurality of cells and the electronic board housing case <NUM> for housing the electronic substrate 16a are provided, but one or both may not be provided.

The battery management device <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM> comprises the output information acquisition component <NUM>, the damage calculator <NUM>, and the usability determination component <NUM>, but the usability determination component <NUM> need not be provided, and the battery management device <NUM> may function as a battery degree of damage calculation device.

In the above embodiments, an electric car or other such vehicle is an example of the power consuming unit in which the batteries <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> loaned out from the systems <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are installed. More specifically, examples of vehicles (move body) include the above-mentioned electric cars (EVs), electric motorcycles, electric unicycles, electric bicycles, motor-assisted bicycles, and PHVs (plug-in hybrid vehicles).

Also, the power consuming unit in which the battery is installed is not limited to a move body, and may also be other electrical products that are driven by exchangeable batteries.

Examples of these electrical products include refrigerators, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, rice cookers, electric kettles, and other such household appliances that run on power from a battery.

Furthermore, the power consuming unit in which the battery is installed may be a power tool.

In this case, the battery used in the power tool may be charged at a battery station or the like where a plurality of batteries that can be loaned out are charged.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) comprising:
a battery (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a physical load information acquisition component (11c) configured to acquire physical load information for the battery (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and
an information processing device (<NUM>), comprising:
an output information acquisition component (<NUM>) configured to acquire the physical load information from the battery (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
a damage calculator (<NUM>) configured to use information from the output information acquisition component (<NUM>) to calculate a degree of damage to the battery (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
characterized in that the damage calculator (<NUM>) has a physical load damage calculator (212d) configured to use the physical load information acquired by the output information acquisition component (<NUM>) to calculate the degree of damage to the battery (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) due to physical load based on a previously obtained correlation between the physical load information and an amount of separation and breakage of structural components and support members of the battery (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).