Device and method for controlling output from a rechargeable battery

1. A controller for controlling output of discharge power from a rechargeable battery, the controller comprising:

a voltage measurement unit for measuring terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery; and

a control unit for setting a plurality of output maximum values, each indicating an upper limit for discharge power allowed to be output from the rechargeable battery during a different predetermined time, in which the output maximum values are set as P 1 , P 2 , . . . , P n in order from shortest to longest of predetermined times and satisfy P 1 >P 2 , . . . , >P n , where n is a number of the output maximum values;

wherein the control unit compares the terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery with a plurality of reference voltages respectively corresponding to the plurality of output maximum values, the control unit is configured to lower each output maximum value when the terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery decreases to the corresponding reference voltage, the reference voltages are set as V 1 , V 2 , . . . , V n in order from largest to smallest of the output maximum values and satisfy V 1 , V 2 , . . . , V n ;

wherein the plurality of output maximum values includes a first output maximum value, which is an upper limit for discharge power allowed to be output from the rechargeable battery during a first predetermined time, and a second output maximum value, which is smaller than the first output maximum value and which is an upper limit for discharge power allowed to be output from the rechargeable battery during a second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time; and

the plurality of reference voltages includes a first reference voltage, which corresponds to the first output maximum value, and a second reference voltage, which corresponds to the second output maximum value and is less than or equal to the first reference voltage.

2. The controller according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is connected to a device using the rechargeable battery, and the control unit transmits the plurality of output maximum values to the device.

3. The controller according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is for installation in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a motor as a power source, and the rechargeable battery is installed in the vehicle and discharges power supplied to the motor.

4. The controller according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit sets an initial value for the first output maximum value and an initial value for the second output maximum value, which is smaller than the initial value of the first output maximum value, and the control unit lowers the first output maximum value to the second output maximum value when the terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery decreases to the first reference voltage.

5. The controller according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit sets an initial value for the first output maximum value and an initial value for the second output maximum value, which is smaller than the initial value of the first output maximum value, and lowers the first output maximum value in a graded manner when the terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery decreases to the first reference voltage.

6. The controller according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit lowers the first output maximum value to a value equal to the second output maximum value when the terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery decreases to the second reference voltage.

7. The controller according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit cancels graded lowering of the first output maximum value and lowers the first output maximum value to a value equal to the second output maximum value before the terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery decreases to the second reference voltage.

8. The controller according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a temperature measurement unit for measuring temperature of the rechargeable battery, wherein the control unit is configured to set the plurality of output maximum values according to the temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit.

9. The controller according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit obtains a state of charge of the rechargeable battery and sets the plurality of output maximum values according to the obtained state of charge.

10. The controller according to claim 1 , wherein:

the rechargeable battery includes a plurality of battery blocks that are electrically connected in series, with each battery block including a plurality of cells that are electrically connected in series;

the voltage measurement unit measures terminal voltage of each battery block; and

the control unit is configured to lower the first output maximum value when a smallest one of the terminal voltages of the battery blocks decreases to the first reference voltage and lowers the second output maximum value when the smallest one of the terminal voltages decreases to the second reference voltage.

11. A method for controlling output of discharge power from a rechargeable battery, the method comprising:

measuring terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery;

setting a plurality of output maximum values, each indicating an upper limit for discharge power allowed to be output from the rechargeable battery during a different predetermined time, wherein the output maximum values are set as P 1 , P 2 , . . . , P n in order from shortest to longest of predetermined times and satisfy P 1 >P 2 , . . . , >P n , where n is a number of the output maximum values, wherein the plurality of output maximum values includes a first output maximum value, which is an upper limit for discharge power allowed to be output from the rechargeable battery during a first predetermined time, and a second output maximum value, which is smaller than the first output maximum value and which is an upper limit for discharge power allowed to be output from the rechargeable battery during a second predetermined time that is longer than the first predetermined time;

comparing the terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery with a plurality of reference voltages respectively corresponding to the plurality of output maximum values; and

lowering each output maximum value when the terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery decreases to the corresponding reference voltage wherein the reference voltages are set as V 1 , V 2 , . . . , V n in order from largest to smallest of the output maximum values and satisfy V 1 , V 2 , . . . , V n , wherein the plurality of reference voltages includes a first reference voltage, which corresponds to the first output maximum value, and a second reference voltage, which corresponds to the second output maximum value and is less than or equal to the first reference voltage.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein:

the rechargeable battery is installed in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a motor as a power source; and

said setting a plurality of output maximum values includes setting the plurality of output maximum values as upper limits for the discharge power allowed to be output from the rechargeable battery to the motor.

13. A computer-readable product encoded with program instructions for execution by a computer for controlling output of discharge power from a rechargeable battery, the program instructions when executed by a computer performing steps including:

measuring terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery;

setting a plurality of output maximum values, each indicating an upper limit for discharge power allowed to be output from the rechargeable battery during a different predetermined time, wherein the output maximum values are set as P 1 , P 2 , . . . , P n in order from shortest to longest of predetermined times and satisfy P 1 >P 2 , . . . , >P n , where n is a number of the output maximum values, wherein the plurality of output maximum values includes a first output maximum value, which is an upper limit for discharge power allowed to be output from the rechargeable battery during a first predetermined time, and a second output maximum value, which is smaller than the first output maximum value and which is an upper limit for discharge power allowed to be output from the rechargeable battery during a second predetermined time that is longer than the first predetermined time;

comparing the terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery with a plurality of reference voltages respectively corresponding to the plurality of output maximum values; and

lowering each output maximum value when the terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery decreases to the corresponding reference voltage, wherein the reference voltages are set as V 1 , V 2 , . . . , V n in order from largest to smallest of the output maximum values and satisfy V 1 , V 2 , . . . , V n , wherein the plurality of reference voltages include a first reference voltage, which corresponds to the first output maximum value, and a second reference voltage, which corresponds to the second output maximum value and is less than or equal to the first reference voltage.

14. The computer-readable product according to claim 13 , wherein:

the rechargeable battery is installed in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a motor as a power source; and

said setting a plurality of output maximum values includes setting the plurality of output maximum values as upper limits for the discharge power allowed to be output from the rechargeable battery to the motor.