DESCRIPTION
STORAGE SYSTEM AND OUTPUT CONTROLLER
TECHNICAL FIELD
5 Disclosure of the present application relates to a
storage system and an output controller.
BACKGROUND ART
Recently, application of a secondary battery such
10 as a lithium-ion battery to be used as a vehicle storage
battery and an electric power storage device in which the
secondary battery is combined with a new energy system
such as a photovoltaic cell and wind-power generation has
been rapidly expanded. In a case where a great number of
15 storage devices such as battery cells are used for
generating significant power, a configuration in which a
plurality of storage modules is connected in series is
adopted. Such configuration is referred to as a battery
system. In the storage module, a plurality of, for
20 example, four unit cells (electric cells, also referred
to as cells; simply appropriately referred to as cells in
the following description) are connected in parallel
and/or in series to configure a battery block. A great
number of battery blocks are stored in an exterior case
25 and the storage module (also referred to as an assembled
battery) is configured.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a
configuration to form a plurality of battery storage
spaces by sectioning a battery storage box as the
30 exterior case by a divides plate to store the battery
block in each battery storage space.
Further, following Patent Document 2 discloses a
configuration to connect a plurality of storage modules
to each other and provide a control device common to a
plurality of storage modules. Patent Document 2
5 discloses the configuration in which each storage module
includes processing means (microprocessor MPU) and
communicates between the MPU and the control device
through the communication means.
Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a power supply
10 device, which detects a voltage at a reference point of
each of a plurality of unit cells included in one storage
module by means of a multiplexer and a voltage detecting
unit, supplies a detected result to a control circuit
through an A/D converter, and detects disconnection of a
15 reference connecting line connected to the reference
point.
CITATION LIST
PATENT DOCUMENTS
20 Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
NO. 2009-100644
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
NO. 2009-289429
Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
25 NO. 2006-280171
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
When a plurality of storage modules is used, the
30 control device common to the plurality of storage modules
is provided. Configuration of the storage system using a
plurality of storage modules has an advantage that the
number of the storage modules and a connection mode of
the storage modules (series connection, parallel
connection, or series/parallel connection) may be made
5 appropriate according to application and the like of the
storage system. However, the control device, which
performs control according to the connection mode of a
plurality of storage modules, is required. It is useless
to prepare the control device for each connection mode,
10 so that it is desired to change control contents
(program) of the control device according to the
connection mode. However, in the conventional storage
device, it is not supposed that the connection mode of a
plurality of storage modules is changed, so that the
15 control device cannot support a plurality of connection
modes.
Therefore, an object is to provide a storage system
and an output controller in which a control device may
detect the connection mode of a plurality of storage
20 modules and control the plurality of storage modules by
the control contents corresponding to the detected
connection mode.
SOLUTION TO PROBLEMS
25 In order to solve the above-described problem, a
storage system disclosed in the present application is a
storage system including a plurality of storage units
configured to be separated from each other and connected
to each other in series and/or in parallel, and an output
30 controller, to which information of a total output
voltage of a plurality of storage units is supplied,
connected to a plurality of storage units through a
communication path, wherein the output controller
receives information of individual output voltages of the
storage units as a result of communication through the
5 communication path and the output controller determines a
connection mode of the storage units from the information
of the total output voltage and the information of the
individual output voltages of the storage units.
An output controller disclosed in the present
10 application is connected to a plurality of storage units
configured to be separated from each other and connected
to each other in series and/or in parallel, information
of a total output voltage of the plurality of storage
units being supplied to the output controller, wherein
15 the output controller is connected to the plurality of
storage units through a communication path, information
of individual output voltages of the storage units being
input to the output controller as a result of
communication through the communication path, and the
20 output controller determines a connection mode of the
storage units from the information of the total output
voltage and the information of the individual output
voltages of the storage units.
Preferably, when the number of the storage units is
25 set to N, the total output voltage is set to V(Total),
the individual output voltages are set to V(1), V(2), . . . ,
and V(N), and the number of parallels of the connection
mode is set to M, the output controller determines
whether a determination equation is satisfied, and
30 determines (N/M) parallel M series when the determination
equation is satisfied.
Determination equation:
EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
5 According to the disclosure of the present
application, the output controller may detect the
connection mode and perform a controlling process
corresponding to the detected connection mode when a
plurality of storage units is connected in series and/or
10 in parallel. Therefore, versatility of the output
controller or the storage unit may be improved. Further,
it is possible to determine an error in connection of a
plurality of storage units, thereby improving safety of
the storage system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an
example of a storage module.
Fig. 2 is a connection diagram illustrating a
20 connection configuration of an example of the storage
module.
Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an example of a
storage system.
Fig. 4 is a block diagram of another example of the
25 storage system.
Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the storage
system having a configuration in which a plurality of
storage modules is connected in series.
Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the storage
30 system having a configuration in which a plurality of
storage modules is connected in parallel.
Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the storage
system having a configuration in which a plurality of
storage modules is connected in 3 parallel 2 series.
Fig. 8 is a flowchart for illustrating an example
5 of operation of the storage system.
Fig. 9 is a flowchart for illustrating a more
specific example of the operation of the storage system.
Fig. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an
application of the storage system.
10
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Although an embodiment described hereinafter is a
preferred specific example of the present invention with
technically preferred various limitations, the scope of
15 the present invention is not limited to the embodiment
unless it is especially described to limit the invention
in the following description.

In a case where a great number of storage devices
20 such as battery cells are used for generating significant
power, a configuration in which a plurality of storage
units (hereinafter, referred to as storage modules) is
connected to each other and a control device common to
the plurality of storage modules is provided is adopted.
25 Such configuration is referred to as a battery system.
The storage module is a unit obtained by combining a
plurality of battery cells and a controller.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an entire
configuration of a storage module MOD. An exterior case
30 of the storage module MOD is formed of an exterior lower
case 2a and an exterior upper case 2b made of metal to
which sheet-metal processing is applied. A material
having high thermal conductivity and radiation factor is
preferably used as a material of the exterior lower case
2a and the exterior upper case 2b. Excellent casing
5 radiation performance may be obtained and increase in
temperature inside the case may be inhibited. Due to the
excellent casing radiation performance, an opening of the
case may be minimized or removed and high dust-resistance
and drip-resistance may be realized. For example, the
10 material of the exterior lower case 2a and the exterior
upper case 2b is aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, or
a copper alloy. For example, a thickness of the exterior
lower case 2a and the exterior upper case 2b is set to
approximately 1 mm or larger.
15 An external positive terminal 3 and an external
negative terminal 4 for charge and discharge to and from
the storage module MOD are provided on a rear surface of
the case. Short preventing walls 3a for preventing
shorts between the terminals are provided on both sides
20 of the external positive terminal 3. Short preventing
walls 4a for preventing the shorts between the terminals
are provided on both sides of the external negative
terminal 4.
Further, a current breaker 5 is provided on a rear
25 surface of the storage module MOD. It is possible to
improve safety of a battery unit by providing the current
breaker 5. A malfunction preventing part 5a is provided
around the current breaker 5. Further, a connector unit
6 for communication with a control circuit provided in a
30 case 2 is provided. The control circuit is provided for
monitoring the temperature of the battery unit and
controlling charge, discharge and the like. Further, a
display device such as an LED for displaying an operating
state is provided on a front surface of the case.
The exterior lower case 2a of the case has a box-
5 like configuration and the exterior upper case 2b is
provided so as to cover an opening thereof. Submodules
AS1 to AS4 are stored in a storage space of the exterior
lower case 2a. A plurality of bosses 9 is formed on a
bottom surface of the exterior lower case 2a for fixing
10 the submodules AS1 to AS4 by means of a screw and the
like. The submodules AS1 to AS4 are assembled in advance
outside the case.
Each submodule is obtained by integrating a
plurality of battery blocks by using an insulating case
15 as a sub storage case. A molded part made of plastic or
the like may be used as the case of the submodule. The
submodules AS1 to AS4 are configured to store a plurality
of battery blocks in the case such that a positive
terminal and a negative terminal of an inner battery
20 block are not exposed.
One battery block is obtained by connecting eight
cylindrical lithium-ion secondary batteries in parallel,
for example. Each of the submodules AS1 and AS2 is
obtained by integrating six battery blocks by using an
25 upper case and a lower case. Each of the submodules AS3
and AS4 is obtained by integrating two battery blocks by
using the upper case and the lower case. Therefore, a
total of (6 + 6 + 2 + 2 = 16) battery blocks are used.
The battery blocks are connected in series, for example.
30
A metal plate for connection such as a bus bar is
* used for connecting the battery blocks in series in each
of the submodules AS1 to AS4. The bus bar is made of
elongated bar-like metal. A plurality of holes is formed
on the bus bar for connecting the same to a connecting
5 metal plate and the like derived from the battery block.
As illustrated in Fig. 2, battery blocks B1 to B16
(appropriately referred to as battery blocks B when it is
not required to distinguish the battery blocks from each
other), each of which is obtained by connecting eight
10 batteries in parallel, are connected in series. Each of
the battery blocks B1 to B16 is connected to a control
device of each storage module (hereinafter, appropriately
referred to as a module controller) CNT and the charge
and discharge thereof are controlled. The charge and
15 discharge are performed through the external positive
terminal 3 and the external negative terminal 4. For
example, the battery blocks B1 to B6 are included in the
submodule AS1 and the battery blocks B11 to B16 are
included in the submodule AS2. Further, the battery
20 blocks B7 and B10 are included in the submodule AS3 and
the battery blocks B8 and B9 are included in the
submodule AS4.
Information of a voltage between the positive and
negative electrodes of each battery block and the like is
25 supplied to the module controller CNT through a bus 10.
The module controller CNT monitors the voltage, the
current, and the temperature of each battery block and
outputs a monitored result as information of an inner
state. For example, one storage module MOD outputs (16 x
30 3.5 V = 56 V).

Further, N storage modules MODl to MODN are
connected in series as illustrated in Fig. 3. The
storage modules MODl to MODN are connected to an
interface bus BS through an insulating unit IS. An
5 insulating interface IF is provided on each storage
module MOD for connecting the module controller CNT to an
external interface bus BS. The insulating interface IF
serves to insulate the storage module MOD from the
interface bus BS. Further, each module controller is
10 connected to a control device of all (hereinafter,
appropriately referred to as an output controller) ICNT
and the output controller ICNT performs management of the
charge and discharge and management to inhibit
deterioration and the like.
15 A serial interface is used as the bus 10 in the
storage module and the bus BS for connecting the storage
modules MODl to MODN and the output controller ICNT. An
SM bus (System Management Bus) and the like is
specifically used as the serial interface. For example,
20 an 12C bus may be used. The 12C bus is a synchronous
serial communication for communicating by using two
signal lines, which are an SCL (serial clock) and a
bidirectional SDA (serial data).
The controller CNT of each storage module MOD and
25 the output controller ICNT communicate with each other.
That is, the output controller ICNT receives the
information of the inner state of each storage module and
a charging process and a discharging process of each
storage module are managed. The output controller ICNT
30 supplies an output of a series connection of the N
storage modules (Nx56 V) to a load. In an example of N =
14, the output is (14 x 56 V = 784 V).
Fig. 4 illustrates another example of the storage
system. In another example, the N storage modules MODl
to MODN are connected in series. Each of the storage
5 modules MODl to MODN includes an insulating interface for
insulating the storage modules from each other. The
module controller of each storage module communicates
with an upper or lower storage module or with an external
output controller through photo couplers IFSl to IFSN as
10 the insulating interfaces.
The output controller ICNT is connected to the
lowest storage module MOD1. The output controller ICNT
controls an entire battery system. The output controller
ICNT receives the information of the inner state of each
15 storage module and supplies and blocks a charging current
and a discharging current to and from each storage module,
thereby controlling the charge and discharge of each
storage module. The output of the series connection of
the N storage modules (Nx56V) is supplied to the load.
20 In the example of N = 14, the output is (14 x 56 V = 784
V) -
An example of the storage system capable of
detecting a connection mode of a plurality of storage
25 modules is hereinafter described. The N storage modules,
for example, six storage modules MODl to MOD6, each of
which has the above-described configuration to generate
the same output, are used. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 illustrate
examples in which the storage modules MODl to MOD6 are
30 connected in different connection modes.
That is, Fig. 5 illustrates the example in which
C)
all the storage modules MODl to MOD6 are connected in
series, Fig. 6 illustrates the example in which all the
storage modules MODl to MOD6 are connected in parallel,
and Fig. 7 illustrates the example in which the storage
5 modules MOD1, MOD2, and MOD3 are connected in parallel,
the storage modules MOD4, MOD5, and MOD6 are connected in
parallel, and the two parallel connections are connected
in series. The connection mode in Fig. 7 is an example
of (M = 2, N = 6) in general expression of (N/M) parallel
10 M series. A case of (M = 1) means that all the N modules
are connected in parallel. Different connection modes
may be realized by connecting the external positive
terminal 3 and the external negative terminal 4 of each
storage module (refer to Fig. 1) by well-known connecting
15 means such as a power connecting cable and a connecting
tab. Further, the number of the storage modules to be
used may be arbitrarily set according to application and
the like.
The common output controller ICNT is connected to a
20 plurality of storage modules MODl to MOD6. Output
voltages (appropriately referred to as individual output
voltages) of the storage modules MODl to MOD6 are
expressed as V(1) to V(6) , respectively, and a voltage
generated between the positive terminal and the negative
25 terminal regarding an entire connection configuration of
the storage modules MODl to MOD6 is expressed as a total
output voltage V (Total) . The total output voltage
V(Tota1) and the individual output voltages V(1) to V(6)
of respective modules are supplied to the output
30 controller ICNT.
The output controller ICNT includes a controller PR.
9
The controller PR is a microcomputer including a CPU
(Central Processing Unit) and the like, for example. In
the controller PR, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM
(Random Access Memory) and the like are connected to the
5 CPU. The controller PR generally manages the storage
modules MODl to MOD6 by executing a program stored in the
ROM .
The individual output voltages V(1) to V(6) of the
modules are supplied from the module controllers of the
10 modules to the controller PR of the output controller
ICNT through the bus BS. Although not illustrated, the
information regarding the current and the temperature
also is supplied from the module controller of each
module to the controller PR of the output controller ICNT
15 through the bus BS. The controller PR controls a display
DP and a combined total voltage value and the like is
displayed on the display DP. The display DP is a liquid
crystal display device, for example. Further, an input
unit IU is connected to the controller PR. An
20 instruction of a user is input to the controller PR
through the input unit IU.
The positive terminal and the negative terminal,
which are output terminals of all the storage modules
MODl and MOD6, are connected to the controller ICNT and
25 the charge and discharge of the storage modules MODl to
MOD6 are managed through the output controller ICNT. The
positive terminal of the storage modules MODl to MOD6 is
connected to a terminal of a switch circuit SW through
switch circuits Sc and Sd of the output controller ICNT.
30 The switch circuits Sc and Sd are connected in series. A
diode Dd is connected in a direction in which the
I,
discharging current is applied so as to be in parallel
with the switch circuit Sc and a diode Dc is connected in
a direction in which the charging current is applied so
as to be in parallel with the switch circuit Sd.
5 A charging device CH is connected to one terminal c
of the switch circuit SW and a load LO is connected to
the other terminal d of the switch circuit SW. The
charging device CH is an in-vehicle charger, a charger
connected through an external charging connector and the
10 like. The chargers are configured to rectify a household
AC power supply, for example, by a rectifier circuit and
supply a rectified output to the battery of the storage
module through a DC-DC converter. Further, there is also
a case where they are charged by power generated by
15 photovoltaic power generation, wind-power generation and
the like. The load LO is a driving motor of a vehicle, a
bike and the like, household electric equipment and the
like, for example. The power is supplied to the load LO
through a DC-AC inverter as needed.
20 The switch circuit SW is controlled by a control
signal from the controller PR. The terminal c of the
switch circuit SW is selected at the time of the charge.
The switch circuit Sc is turned on and the switch circuit
Sd is turned off by the control signal from the
25 controller PR. The charging current from the charging
device CH is supplied to the storage modules MOD1 to MOD6
through the diode Dc and the switch circuit Sc.
The terminal d of the switch circuit SW is selected
at the time of the discharge. The switch circuit Sc is
30 turned off and the switch circuit Sd is turned on by the
control signal from the controller PR. The discharging
current from the battery system is supplied to the load
LO through the diode Dd and the switch circuit Sd. A
MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect
Transistor), for example, may be used as the switch
5 circuits Sc and Sd. A parasitic diode of the MOSFET
serves as the diodes Dc and Dd.
The total output voltage V(Tota1) of the storage
modules MODl to MOD6 is divided by resistors R1 and R2 in
the output controller ICNT. A voltage extracted from a
10 connecting point of the resistors R1 and R2 is supplied
to an A/D converter AD to be converted to a digital value.
A digital signal from the A/D converter AD is supplied to
the controller PR. The controller PR determines
(detects) the connection mode of the storage modules MODl
15 to MOD6 by using the total output voltage converted to
the digital value and the individual voltages V(1) to
V(6) of the respective modules supplied through the bus
BS .

20 A process of determining the connection mode is
described with reference to a flowchart in Fig. 8. The
process illustrated in the flowchart is performed by the
controller PR of the output controller ICNT. Meanwhile,
in the processes in Fig. 8 and in Fig. 9 to be
25 illustrated later, the number of the storage modules to
be used is set to N (= 1, 2, ..., N). The process starts
and at first step S1, the number N of the storage modules
becomes clear as a result of the communication with the
storage modules MODl to MOD6.
3 0 At step S2, the total output voltage V(Tota1) of
all the batteries is measured. As described above, an
* output of the A/D converter AD is set to V(Tota1). The
A/D converter AD amplifies an input voltage so as to
cancel a voltage division ratio of the resistors R1 and
R2. For example, when the voltage division ratio is 1/2,
5 the A/D converter AD doubles the input voltage.
Meanwhile, the output of the A/D converter AD need not be
amplified. In this case, the output voltage of each
storage module used in the determining process is
multiplied by a coefficient corresponding to the voltage
10 division ratio of the resistors. Further, it is also
possible to supply the total output voltage V(Tota1) to
the controller PR by a configuration other than resistor
voltage division.
A variable (number of series) M is set to 1 at step
15 S3. The determining process is performed at step S4.
The determining process is represented by the following
equation.
V(1) = V(2) = . . . = V(N) = (1/M) x V(Tota1)
That is, it is determined whether the equation is
20 satisfied. When the equation is not satisfied, the
process shifts to step S5 and when the equation is
satisfied, the process shifts to step S9. Meanwhile, in
the above-described equation, a difference in an
allowable range is regarded as a detection error and it
25 is regarded that equality is satisfied.
When a determination result at step S4 is negative,
a value of M is incremented by 1 at step S5 and the
determining process of (Ma?) is performed at step S6.
When the determination result at step S6 is positive, the
30 process returns to step S4 and the similar process is
repeated. When the result at step S6 is negative, that
is, when (M>N) is determined, it is determined that the
number of the modules is excessive at step S7 and error
handling is performed at step S8. Then, the process ends.
For example, at step S8, the switch circuits Sc and Sd
5 are turned off to block the output, and an error message
is displayed on the display DP. The output may be
blocked at the time of erroneous connection by the error
handling, so that the safety of the system may be
improved.
10 When the determination result at step S4 is
positive, (N/M) parallel M series is determined at step
S9. Then, a controlling process is performed according
to the determination result at step S10. Then, the
process ends.
15 In an all-series configuration illustrated in Fig.
5, V(Tota1) = V(1) + V(2) + . . . + V(N) is satisfied.
Therefore, the determination result at step S4 is
positive when M = 6 is satisfied. In this case, the
determination result at step S9 is (6/6 = 1) parallel 6
20 series. Then, at step S10, the controlling process in a
case of the all-series is performed.
In an all-parallel configuration illustrated in Fig.
6, V(1) = V(2) = . . . = V(N) = V(Tota1) is satisfied.
Therefore, the determination result at step S4 is
25 positive when M = 1 is satisfied. In this case, the
determination result at step S9 is (6/1 = 6) parallel 1
series. Then, at step S10, the controlling process in a
case of the all-parallel is performed.
In a 3 parallel 2 series configuration illustrated
30 inFig. 7, V(1) =V(2) = . . . =V(N) = (1/2) xV(Tota1) is
satisfied. Therefore, the determination result at step
e
S4 is positive when M = 2 is satisfied. In this case,
the determination result at step S9 is (6/2 = 3) parallel
2 series. Then, at step S10, the controlling process in
a case of 3 parallel 2 series is performed.
5
An example of the process according to the
determination result described as step S10 is illustrated
in Fig. 9. When (N/M) parallel M series is determined at
step S9, it is determined whether M = 1 is satisfied at
10 step S11. As described above, M = 1 means that the
connection mode is the all-parallel.
When the determination result at step S11 is
negative, that is, when it is not the all-parallel,
balance operation is performed such that the output
15 voltages of the storage modules connected in series are
the same at step S12. In the case of (N/M) parallel M
series, the balance operation is performed such that the
output voltages of the storage modules connected in
series (N parallels) are the same. The balance operation
20 is a process to determine that it is not well-balanced
when difference in the individual output voltage between
the modules is not smaller than a threshold, for example,
and discharge only the module of which individual output
voltage is excessive, for example, to make the individual
25 output voltages of them substantially the same. The
balance operation is performed for inhibiting the
deterioration in the storage module. When the
determination result at step S11 is positive, that is, in
the case of the all-parallel, the balance operation at
30 step S12 is not performed.
When the determination result at step S11 is
* positive, and after the balance operation at step S12, a
voltage value of the output voltage at present is
displayed on the display DP at step S13. That is, the
voltage value of a result of V(Total)/M is displayed.
5 Further, a current value of an output current at present
is displayed on the display DP at step S14. That is, the
current value of a result of I (~otal/) ( N/M) is displayed.
Then, the process ends. Meanwhile, it is preferable that
the display of the voltage value at step S13 be performed
10 in the case of the series connection and the display of
the current value at step S14 be performed in the case of
the parallel connection. That is, as the result of the
determination at step S11, when (M = 1) is satisfied, the
current value is displayed and when (M = 1) is not
15 satisfied, the voltage value is displayed.

An application is described with reference to Fig.
10. For example, n storage devices, each of which is
obtained by connecting all six storage modules in series,
20 for example, are used and output controllers ICNTl to
ICNTn of respective storage devices and an integrated
output controller ICNTnn are connected to each other by a
bus BSnn. The charging device CH and the load LO are
connected to the integrated output controller ICNTnn
25 through the switch circuit SW.
The configuration illustrated in Fig. 10 operates
as the above-described storage system. That is,
information of a detection result regarding the
connection mode of the storage devices is supplied from
30 the controllers ICNTl to ICNTn to the integrated output
controller ICNTnn. Each storage device is managed by the
9
integrated output controller ICNTnn according to the
detection result regarding the connection mode of the
storage devices. Further, the integrated output
controller ICNTnn may control the switch circuit of the
5 output controllers ICNTl to ICNTn, thereby appropriately
switching the number of the storage devices to be used.

The lithium-ion secondary battery is used as the
storage device in the description above. However, it is
10 also possible to use a secondary battery other than the
lithium-ion secondary battery. Further, it is also
possible to use a storage device other than the secondary
battery, such as an electric double layer capacitor.
15 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
MOD, MOD1 to MODN . . . storage module, ICNT . . .
output controller, CNT ... controller of each storage
module, ICNT ... output controller, PR . . . controller,
DP ... display, CH . . . charging device, LO ... load
20

CLAIMS
1. A storage system, comprising:
a plurality of storage units configured to be
5 separated from each other and connected to each other in
series and/or in parallel; and
an output controller, to which information of a
total output voltage of the plurality of storage units is
supplied, connected to the plurality of storage units
10 through a communication path, wherein
the output controller receives information of
individual output voltages of the storage units as a
result of communication through the communication path
and the output controller determines a connection mode of
15 the storage units from the information of the total
output voltage and the information of the individual
output voltages of the storage units.
2. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein,
20 when the number of the storage units is set to N, the
total output voltage is set to V(Total), the individual
output voltages are set to V(1), ~ ( 2, ). . . , and V(N) , and
the number of parallels of the connection mode is set to
M, the output controller determines whether a
25 determination equation is satisfied, and
determines (N/M) parallel M series when the
determination equation is satisfied.
Determination equation:
V(l) = V(2) = . .. = V(N) = (1/M) x V(Tota1)
3. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein
the output controller controls the storage units
according to a determination result of the connection
mode of the storage units.
5 4. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein
each of the storage units is obtained by storing a
plurality of storage devices in a storage case, and
an external electrode terminal connected to an
electrode terminal of the storage devices and a
10 communication terminal connected to a storage unit
controller for managing the storage devices are provided
on the storage case.
5. The storage system according to claim 2, wherein
15 the output controller displays at least one of (sum of
voltage values) /M and (sum of current values) / (N/M) on a
display device.
6. The storage system according to claim 2, wherein
20 the output controller performs a determining process by
setting a value of M to 1 and determines whether the
determination equation is satisfied while sequentially
incrementing the value of M by 1 until (M = N) is
satisfied when the determination equation is not
25 satisfied, and
performs error handling when (M>N) is satisfied.
7. The storage system according to claim 3, wherein,
when the output controller determines that there is a
30 series connection in the connection mode of the storage
units, the output controller controls the storage units
* so as to perform balance operation to make output
voltages in the series connection substantially the same.
8. An output controller connected to a plurality of
5 storage units configured to be separated from each other
and connected to each other in series and/or in parallel,
information of a total output voltage of the plurality of
storage units being supplied to the output controller,
wherein
10 the output controller is connected to the plurality
of storage units through a communication path,
information of individual output voltages of the storage
units being input to the output controller as a result of
communication through the communication path, and
15 the output controller determines a connection mode
of the storage units from the information of the total
output voltage and the information of the individual
output voltages of the storage units.
20 9. The output controller according to claim 8, which
determines whether a determination equation is satisfied
when the number of the storage units is set to N, the
total output voltage is set to V(Total), the individual
output voltages are set to V(1), V(2), . . . , and V(N) , and
25 the number of parallels of the connection mode is set to
M, and
determines (N/M) parallel M series when the
determination equation is satisfied.
Determination equation:
V(1) = V(2) = . . . = V(N) = (1/M) x V(Tota1)
10. The output controller according to claim 8, wherein
the output controller controls the storage units
b according to a determination result of the connection
mode of the storage units.
5
11. The output controller according to claim 9, wherein
the output controller displays a voltage value of
(V (Total) /M) on a display device.
Dated this 15.04.20 13
OF[ RSmEMMFARNYT & PGH1 AGAR
ATTORNEY FOR TKE APPLIC~T[S]