JP2005065429A - Battery device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a secondary battery versatile so that it can be charged by the same charger regardless of its type. <P>SOLUTION: A battery device comprises a battery pack 1 provided with a secondary battery 1a repeatedly chargeable and a charger 2. The battery pack 1 is provided with a memory 3, and the memory 3 stores ID that is different from one battery pack 1 to another. The charger 2 is provided with a computer 4 for control and a charging and discharging unit 5. When the battery 1 is charged, the computer 4 for control sets basic information on the charging and discharging unit 5 based on the basic information, including the structure, charging voltage, charging capacity, charging method, applicable models, and the like, of the secondary battery of the battery pack 1, obtained from the ID. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery device, and is intended to enhance the versatility of a secondary battery by allowing a single charger to charge a secondary battery having various structures and various voltages.

In the conventional battery device, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, the date of the initial charge of the secondary battery is stored in a memory in the secondary battery and the status of the secondary battery is monitored, for example, As described in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the number of times of charging the battery pack containing the secondary battery is automatically counted to notify the replacement time of the secondary battery, for example, disclosed in Patent Documents 4 and 5 As described above, when the charge / discharge is repeated many times, an error is prevented from accumulating in the remaining capacity of the battery and the accuracy of the remaining capacity is improved. For example, as described in Patent Document 7, the conditions for performing refresh charge / discharge according to the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery are appropriately set.
JP 2002-124304 A JP-A-6-20725 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-267077 JP-A-10-210666 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-268985 JP 7-147166 A JP 2001-8375 A

  However, there is a configuration that automatically counts and displays the “date of initial charge” and “number of times of charge” in the memory of the secondary battery, but the secondary battery can be installed regardless of the type of secondary battery. When the battery is connected to the charger, the structure, charging voltage, charging capacity, and charging method of the secondary battery are automatically determined, and the charger supplies the appropriate charging current according to the secondary battery. Not disclosed.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery device that solves the above-described problems and allows any secondary battery to be charged by the same charger.

  The configuration of the battery device according to claim 1 includes a secondary battery that can be repeatedly charged and a charger that charges the secondary battery. The secondary battery is provided with a storage medium and the storage medium is provided with the storage medium. Writes a personalized code different for each secondary battery, while the charger is provided with a control computer that reads the personalized code from the storage medium, and the control computer reads the personalized code of the secondary battery The basic information corresponding to the individualization code is determined from the basic information of the secondary battery read in advance, the charger is set based on the calculated basic information, and the secondary battery is charged. It is characterized by that.

  In such a battery device, an individualization code for individualizing the secondary battery is written in the storage medium of the secondary battery, and the control computer reads the individualization code of the storage medium and reads the individualization code. The basic information of the corresponding secondary battery is determined, a charger is set based on the basic information, and the charger starts charging the secondary battery.

  The configuration of the battery device according to claim 2 is the battery device according to claim 1, wherein the basic information is a structure of a battery, a charging voltage, a charging capacity, a charging method, and a model used.

  In such a battery device, the control computer is an element determined based on the individualized code, and the secondary battery structure, charging voltage, charging capacity, charging method, and the like determined in advance for each secondary battery. The charger is set according to the model used.

  The configuration of the battery device according to claim 3 is the battery device according to claim 1, wherein the charger is provided with a discharger, and the control computer processes the secondary battery after the use of the secondary battery is started. The auxiliary information is detected and the auxiliary information is written in the storage medium.

  In such a battery device, auxiliary information regarding processing performed after the start of use of the secondary battery is stored in the storage medium, and processing of the secondary battery can be determined based on this auxiliary information.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the battery device according to the third aspect, wherein the auxiliary information includes a charge count, a discharge count, and a remaining capacity.

  In such a battery device, when deciding whether to charge, discharge, or dispose of the secondary battery, consider the number of times of charging / discharging from the start of use of the secondary battery to the present and the current remaining capacity. be able to.

  The configuration of the battery device according to claim 5 is the battery device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control computer reads the individualized code and the auxiliary information from the storage medium, and The battery charger is provided with notifying means for notifying at least one of basic battery information and auxiliary information.

  In such a battery device, when the control computer provided in the charger is connected to the storage medium of the secondary battery, the notification means of the charger notifies at least one of the basic information and auxiliary information of the secondary battery. .

  According to the battery device of the present invention, the individualization code for individualizing the secondary battery is written in the storage medium of the secondary battery, and the control computer reads the individualization code of the storage medium in advance. The basic information corresponding to the individualized code is determined from the read basic information of the secondary battery, the charger is set based on the basic information, and the charger starts charging the secondary battery. Depending on the individualization code of the secondary battery, the secondary battery structure, charging voltage, charging capacity, charging method, and model to be used are set in the charger, so a single charger can charge any secondary battery. Can be achieved and the cost can be reduced. In other words, if the external shape, terminals, etc. of the secondary battery are made common, even if the structure, charging voltage, charging capacity, charging method, and model of the secondary battery are different, it can be charged with a common charger. The versatility of the secondary battery is increased. In addition, even if the capacity of the secondary battery increases due to technological advances, not only can the common charger be used as it is by changing the individualization code of the secondary battery, but also the external shape and terminals of the secondary battery, etc. Even if they are made common, regardless of the manufacturer of the secondary battery / charger, a common charger can be used.

  Hereinafter, the best mode of the battery device according to the present invention will be described.

  A conceptual diagram of the battery device is shown in FIG. The battery device according to the present invention includes a battery pack 1 incorporating a rechargeable secondary battery 1 a and a charger 2 that charges the battery pack 1. The battery pack 1 is provided with a memory (storage medium) 3. As the memory 3, a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM is used. A different ID (individualized code) is stored in the memory 3 for each battery pack 1. On the other hand, the charger 2 incorporates a control computer 4 for reading the ID from the memory 3 and writing / reading the number of charge / discharge times / residual capacity in the memory 3 and a charge / discharge circuit (not shown). Or the charging / discharging part 5 which discharges is provided.

  The computer 4 for control sets the charging / discharging part 5 according to the basic information of the battery pack 1 obtained from ID, and makes the charging / discharging part 5 charge the battery pack 1. This basic information refers to information preset in the ID when determining the ID, and refers to information such as the structure, charging voltage, charging capacity, charging method, and model used of the secondary battery. Here, the structure of the secondary battery means a lithium ion battery, a nickel hydrogen battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a lead battery, or the like. The charging method refers to, for example, the size of the capacity charged per unit time, and in some cases, quick charging with a larger capacity is possible. The model used is, for example, a personal computer, a digital camera, a calculator, etc., in which a battery pack is used.

  In addition, auxiliary information is written in the memory 3. Auxiliary information refers to information about the processing performed on the secondary battery from the start of use of the secondary battery to the present and the current state of the secondary battery, and the use of the secondary battery is started. The number of times of charging / discharging up to the present and the current remaining capacity.

  In addition, the charger 2 is provided with a display (notification means) 6 that displays both basic information and auxiliary information of the secondary battery. Further, the battery pack 1 and the charger 2 are provided with a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature during charging, and a warning lamp for issuing a warning from the charger 2 when the temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature. Then, based on the temperature information from the temperature sensor, the charger 2 controls the charging method so that the temperature of the battery pack 1 or the charger 2 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature.

  In such a battery device, when charging the battery pack 1 using the charger 2, a terminal (not shown) of the memory 3 of the battery pack 1 is connected to a terminal (not shown) of the control computer 4 of the charger 2. To do. Then, the control computer 4 reads the ID of the memory 3 by data communication, and the basic information of the battery pack 1 obtained from the ID, the structure of the secondary battery 1a, the charging voltage, the charging capacity, the charging method, the model used, and the auxiliary The number of times of charging / discharging from the start of use of the battery pack 1 as information to the present and the current remaining capacity are displayed on the display 6.

  And the setting of the charging / discharging part 5 is performed based on the structure, the charging voltage, the charging capacity, the charging method, and the use model of the secondary battery 1a which are basic information. On the other hand, charging / discharging / disposing of the battery pack 1 is determined in consideration of auxiliary information, that is, the number of times of charging / discharging from the start of use of the battery pack 1 to the present and the current remaining capacity. .

  When it is decided to charge or discharge, charging is started by tilting the charging / discharging switch to the charging side, or discharging is started by tilting to the discharging side.

  When the number of times of charging exceeds a predetermined number, refresh discharge (complete discharge) is performed and then charging is performed again. If charging is repeated before all of the battery is fully discharged, the capacity will be reduced, and a memory effect will occur in which no current will flow even if the capacity remains. It is solved. When the number of times of charging / discharging exceeds the specified number of times, the secondary battery is considered to have deteriorated, so the battery pack 1 is replaced with a new one.

  FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment that embodies the conceptual diagram of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the battery pack 1 is provided with a female connector 7. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, the charger 2 is provided with a male connector 9 via a cable 8, and the male connector 9 is provided with a terminal 9a. The charger 2 is provided with a charge / discharge switch 10 that selects charging / neutral / discharging by tilting it left or right or neutral. By connecting the female connector 7 and the male connector 9, the control computer 4 is connected to the memory 3. As a result, the control computer 4 in FIG. 1 reads the ID and auxiliary information stored in the memory 3, calculates the basic information of the secondary battery 1a corresponding to the ID, and displays the basic information and auxiliary information on the display 6. indicate. Moreover, the charging / discharging part 5 is set based on the said basic information. Reference numeral 11 denotes a warning lamp that is turned on when the temperature of the temperature sensor becomes higher than a predetermined value.

  FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment that embodies the conceptual diagram of FIG.

  In this case, the charger 2 is not a cable type but a plug-in type. That is, the terminal 9a of the male connector is directly protruded from the upper surface of the charger 2 without using a cable. Therefore, when charging the battery pack 1, the battery pack 1 of FIG. 2A is opposed to the terminal 9a with the female connector 7 facing down, and the female connector 7 and the male connector terminal 9a Join.

  Since other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for charging the battery pack 1 with the charger 2. Whether the charger is suitable, whether the secondary battery has a life, whether the secondary battery has a memory effect, A determination is made as to whether a refresh discharge of the battery is necessary. In FIG. 4, the term “secondary battery” is used as a battery pack.

  First, in step S1, the control computer 4 performs a process of “reading the ID of the memory 3 of the battery pack 1”. In step S2, it is determined whether it can be charged with this charging circuit. If charging is not possible, a warning “unchargeable” is displayed on the display 6 as in step S8, and if charging is possible, the process proceeds to step S3. To do. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the total number of times of charging is equal to or greater than the prescribed number of times. If the number is equal to or greater than the prescribed number of times, a warning “life of battery pack” is displayed on the display 6 as in step S9. If it is less than the specified number, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, a charge / discharge circuit corresponding to the battery pack 1 is set, and then the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, it is determined whether or not the battery pack has a memory effect. If there is no memory effect, the charging / discharging unit 5 operates to start charging as in step S10, and charging or completion of charging is performed. Sometimes, the display 6 displays “charging” and “charging completed”. If there is a memory effect, the process proceeds to step S6, where it is determined whether the number of times of charge after complete discharge is less than the specified number or not. The unit 5 operates to start charging, and “charging” and “charging completed” are displayed on the display 6 during charging or when charging is completed. If the number of times is equal to or greater than the specified number, the process proceeds to step S7, where the charging / discharging unit 5 is actuated to discharge, and charging is started after complete discharge (refresh discharge). "Charging complete" is displayed.

  If the external shape, terminals, etc. of the battery pack composed of multiple secondary batteries are made common, even if the structure, charging voltage and charging capacity of the secondary battery built in the battery pack are different, charging with a common charger it can. Moreover, even if the capacity of the secondary battery increases due to technological advancement, it can be charged with a common charger by changing the charging capacity corresponding to the ID. Also, battery packs made by other companies can be charged with the same charger as long as the external shape and terminals of the battery pack are shared. Even when multiple types of secondary batteries are required, if the external shape, terminals, etc. of the battery pack are made common, they can be charged with a single charger, and costs can be reduced.

  Depending on the battery pack ID, the secondary battery structure, charging voltage, charging capacity, charging method, and model used are set in the charging / discharging unit. Can be charged. This is made possible by managing IDs.

  When the number of times of charging / discharging exceeds the specified number, the degree of deterioration may be displayed on the display 6 so that a human does not have to judge the degree of deterioration of the secondary battery each time.

  In addition, although this Embodiment showed the case where a battery pack was comprised with the single secondary battery, two or more secondary batteries may be sufficient. In addition, the case where the memory is provided in the battery pack containing the secondary battery has been described, but even if the memory is provided in the secondary battery itself, if the external shape, terminals, etc. of the secondary battery are made common Can be thought of as well. Moreover, although the display recognized visually is provided as an alerting | reporting means, you may enable it to recognize by hearing.

The conceptual diagram which shows the battery apparatus by this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery device according to a first embodiment, where (a) is a perspective view of the battery pack and (b) is a perspective view showing a state in which the battery pack is connected to a charger. The perspective view which concerns on Example 2 of a battery apparatus and shows the state which connected the battery pack to the charger. The flowchart figure at the time of charging a battery pack with the battery apparatus by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Battery pack 1a ... Secondary battery 2 ... Charger 3 ... Memory (storage medium)
4 ... Control computer 5 ... Charging / discharging unit 6 ... Display (notification means)

Claims (5)

It consists of a secondary battery that can be repeatedly charged and a charger that charges the secondary battery,
The secondary battery is provided with a storage medium, and at the same time, at least a different personalized code for each secondary battery is written to the storage medium, while the charger is provided with a control computer that reads the personalized code from the storage medium. The control computer reads the individualized code of the secondary battery, calculates basic information corresponding to the individualized code from the basic information of the secondary battery read in advance, and the charger based on the calculated basic information The battery device is configured to charge the secondary battery. The battery device according to claim 1, wherein the basic information is a battery structure, a charging voltage, a charging capacity, a charging method, and a model used. The battery device according to claim 1, wherein the charger is provided with a discharger, and the control computer detects auxiliary information related to processing of the secondary battery after the use of the secondary battery is started, and the auxiliary information is obtained. A battery device for writing into the storage medium. 4. The battery device according to claim 3, wherein the auxiliary information is a charge count, a discharge count, and a remaining capacity. 5. The battery device according to claim 1, wherein the control computer reads an individualized code and the auxiliary information from the storage medium, and at least one of basic information and auxiliary information of the secondary battery. A battery device characterized in that an informing means for informing either of them is provided in the charger.

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