GB2312571A - Charging series connected batteries - Google Patents

Charging series connected batteries Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2312571A
GB2312571A GB9707073A GB9707073A GB2312571A GB 2312571 A GB2312571 A GB 2312571A GB 9707073 A GB9707073 A GB 9707073A GB 9707073 A GB9707073 A GB 9707073A GB 2312571 A GB2312571 A GB 2312571A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
battery
block
terminal voltage
charge
current
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9707073A
Other versions
GB9707073D0 (en
GB2312571B (en
Inventor
Tsutomu Takahashi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Subaru Corp
Original Assignee
Fuji Jukogyo KK
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fuji Jukogyo KK, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd filed Critical Fuji Jukogyo KK
Publication of GB9707073D0 publication Critical patent/GB9707073D0/en
Publication of GB2312571A publication Critical patent/GB2312571A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2312571B publication Critical patent/GB2312571B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/44—Methods for charging or discharging
    • H01M10/441—Methods for charging or discharging for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/0013—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially
    • H02J7/0014—Circuits for equalisation of charge between batteries
    • H02J7/0016—Circuits for equalisation of charge between batteries using shunting, discharge or bypass circuits
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/70—Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/7072—Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
    • Y02T90/14—Plug-in electric vehicles

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
  • Secondary Cells (AREA)
  • Electric Propulsion And Braking For Vehicles (AREA)

Description

2312571
DESCRIPTION BATTERY CHARGE CONTROL SYSTEM
The present invention relates to a battery charge control system for controlling charging of batteries and more specifically to a battery charge control system capable of quickly charging a plurality of batteries with equal charging amount and without causing overcharging.
Generally, high voltage is needed for driving a propelling motor of electric cars and the like and therefore in most cases, combination batteries integrating a plurality of unit batteries containing several cells therein are used for these purposes. For example, in case of leadacid batteries, a unit battery has 12 volts with 6 cells and 336 volts can be obtained in total by coupling 28 pieces of these unit batteries in series.
When those series-coupled batteries are charged, R is difficult to equalize the charge amount among those batteries. In order to prevent unequal charging among batteries, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Toku-Kai-Hei 6-319287 discloses a technique of periodically charging batteries with small current for a rather long time.
In case of charging lead-acid batteries or Nickel-metal-hyd ride batteries, however, the internal resistance increases abruptly at the finishing stage of charging. An increased resistance produces an increased terminal voltage of the battery. The increased terminal voltage causes overcharging, which leads to generation of hydrogen and oxygen gas from the battery. The generation of gases may produce not only a hazard of -2explosion but also leakage of electrolyte out of batteries which leads to corrosion of the terminals and nearby parts. Because these troubles may occur, generally a maximum value of charging voltage on the charger's side is restricted. In the case where a group of serially connected batteries is charged, there is a problem that when part of the batteries have a high terminal voltage, this causes a low terminal voltage to be applied to other batteries and consequently this makes a difference of charging amount among the batteries.
In view of the foregoing problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a safe battery charge control system capable of charging a plurality of batteries in a short time without excessive or insufficient charging.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery charge control system having at least one block battery comprising by a plurality of batteries and a battery charger for feeding a charge current to said block battery, comprising:
charge finishing stage detecting means for detecting a charge finishing stage of said block battery; and charge current control means for controlling said charge current passing through said block battery when said charge finishing stage is detected, so as to prevent overcharging.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery charge control system having at least one block -3battery comprising a plurality of batteries and a battery charger for feeding a charge current to said block battery, comprising:
a voltage sensor for detecting a terminal voltage of said block battery; battery managing means for comparing said terminal voltage with a reference voltage and for outputting a signal when said terminal voltage exceeds said reference voltage; and a by-pass device connected in parallel with said block battery responsive to said signal for by-passing a part of said charge current so as not to raise said terminal voltage above a specified value.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery charge control system having at least one block battery comprising a plurality of batteries and a battery charger for feeding a charge current to said block battery, comprising:
a voltage sensor for detecting a terminal voltage of said block battery; battery managing means for calculating a rate of change of said terminal voltage, for comparing said change rate with a predetermined value and for outputting a signal when said rate of change exceeds said predetermined value; and a by-pass device connected in parallel with said block battery responsive to said signal for by-passing a part of said charge current so as not to raise said terminal voltage above a specified value.
In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a battery charge control system having at least one block battery comprising a plurality of batteries and a battery charger for feeding a charge current to said block battery, comprising:
a voltage sensor for detecting a terminal voltage of said block battery; battery managing means for calculating a rate of change of said terminal voltage and for outputting a signal when said rate of change of said terminal voltage is converted to a negative value; and a by-pass device connected in parallel with said block battery responsive to said signal for by-passing a part of said charge current so as not to raise said terminal voltage above a specified value.
In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery charge control system having at least one block battery comprising a plurality of batteries and a battery charger for feeding a charge current to said block battery, comprising:
a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of said block battery; battery managing means for calculating a rate of change of said temperature, for comparing said rate of change with a preset value and for outputting a signal when said rate of change of said temperature exceeds said preset value; and a by-pass device connected in parallel with said block battery responsive to said signal for by-passing a part of said charge current so as not to raise said terminal voltage above a specified value.
In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery charge control system having at least one block battery comprising a plurality of batteries and a battery charger for feeding a charge current to said block battery, comprising:
a current sensor for detecting said charge current; battery managing means for comparing said charge current with a specified current value and for outputting a signal when said charge current becomes lower than said specified current value; and a by-pass device connected in parallel with said block battery responsive to said signal for by-passing a part of said charge current so as not to raise said terminal voltage above a specified value.
In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery charge control system having at least one block battery comprising a plurality of batteries and a battery charger for feeding a charge current to said block battery, comprising:
a voltage sensor for detecting a terminal voltage of said block battery; a current sensor for detecting said charge current; a battery managing unit for outputting a signal to reduce said charge current to said battery charger when said charge current is larger than a specified current value, after said terminal voltage reaches a specified -6voltage.
Also, a battery charge control system according to the present invention comprises: a voltage sensor for detecting a terminal voltage of the battery (or batteries); battery managing means for calculating a change rate of the terminal voltage of the battery (or batteries), for comparing the change rate with a predetermined value and for outputting a signal when the change rate exceeds a predetermined value; and a by-pass device connected in parallel with the battery (or batteries) responsive to the signal for by-passing a part of the charge current through the by-pass device so as not to raise the terminal voltage of the battery (or batteries) above a specified value.
By way of example only, specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a battery charge control system for an electric vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a constitution of a battery charge control system for an electric vehicle; Fig. 3 is a block diagram for explaining an operational principle of a by- pass device; Fig. 4 is a graph showing a terminal voltage and a temperature change when a block battery is charged; Fig. 5 is a first diagram for explaining an operation of a by-pass device; Fig. 6 is a second diagram for explaining an operation of a by-pass device; Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an equivalent transistor of a by-pass device; Fig. 8 is a graph for explaining an operational principle of a transistor shown in Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing an equivalent circuit of a battery charge circuit using the equivalent transistor shown in Fig. 7; and Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing a constitution of a battery module composed of a block battery and a by-pass device.
Referring now to Fig. 2, numeral 1 denotes a high voltage power system of an electric vehicle and numeral 2 denotes a low voltage power system thereof. The high voltage power system comprises a high voltage battery 4, a propelling motor 5, a drive circuit 6 and high electrical load component 7a such as an air-conditioner, a heater and the like.
The high voltage battery 4 in this embodiment is a combination battery which includes 28 lead-acid batteries (having a rated voltage of 12 volts each) serially connected and has a rated voltage of 336 volts in total. When a battery capacity becomes lower than a specified value, the battery is charged through a battery charger 3 which is connected with an outside eleciric source (not shown).
Further, the propelling motor 5 is an AC induction motor for example and its driving force is transmitted to a drive system (not shown). During the running of the vehicle, the drive circuit 6 performs a regenerative control on the propelling motor 5 so as to charge the high voltage battery 4.
On the other hand, the low voltage power system 2 comprises an auxiliary battery 8, general electrical equipment 7b such as a wiper, a radio and miscellaneous indicating equipment, a vehicle control unit 9 and a battery managing unit 10 for managing the high voltage battery 4.
The vehicle control unit 9 performs a vehicle running control and other necessary controls based on instructions of a vehicle operator. Then, miscellaneous vehicle conditions are detected by signals derived from the battery managing unit 10 or from sensors and switches so as not only to control the propelling motor 5 through the drive circuit 6 but also to control the high electric load components 7a. Further, at this time, necessary information is indicated to the vehicle driver through the general electrical equipment 7b (indicating equipment and the like).
The battery managing unit 10 performs a battery management control such as a measurement of the residual capacity of the high voltage battery 4, an estimation of the battery life, an equivalent charging and the like, based on signals from sensors 11 which will be described hereinafter. These sensors 11 are for detecting voltage, charge current, discharge current, temperature and the like, in the high voltage battery 4. When the -9high voltage battery 4 is charged, control signals or measuring information are outputted to the battery charger 3. Further, when it is discharged, necessary information or data are sent to the vehicle control unit 9.
Further, this battery managing unit 10 is, as shown in Fig. 1, composed of a micro-computer 12, an AID converter 13 and other peripheral circuits (not shown).
The AID converter 13 is connected with an amplifier 15 for amplifying signals from a current sensor 14, amplifiers 18 (1) through 18 (7) for amplifying signals from temperature sensors 16 (1) through 16 (7), respectively, amplifiers 20 (1) through 20 (7) serving as voltage sensors, respectively so as to convert analogue signals of these current, voltage and temperature signals into digital signals and to send these digital signals to the micro-computer 12.
The high voltage battery 4 is constituted by 7 block batteries each of which is formed of 4 pieces of unit batteries having 6 cells therein, namely, one block battery is composed of 4 batteries. Consequently, the high voltage battery is composed of 28 pieces of unit batteries serially connected with each other. Therefore, in the micro-computer 12, voltage is measured for each of the block batteries 22(1) through 22 (7) and controlled separately for each.
The current sensor 14 is, for example, a hall element type current sensor interconnected in a power line extending from the plus (+) terminal of th e high voltage battery 4 for detecting chargeldischarge current of the -10high voltage battery 4. The detected current is denoted as plus (+) when charged and as minus (-) when discharged, for example.
The temperature sensors 16 (1) through 16 (7) are temperature sensors of thermistor type and they are mounted on each block battery so as to detect temperature for each of the block batteries 22 (1) through 22 (7).
Further, the amplifiers 20 (1) through 20 (7) also serving as voltage sensors are constituted by differential amplifiers so as to detect terminal voltage of the block battery having a rated voltage of 48 volts. Further, by-pass devices 24 (1) through 24 (7) are connected in parallel with the amplifiers 20 (1) through 20 (7) for bypassing charge current flowing through the block batteries 22 (1) through 22 (7). The by-pass devices 24 are driven by a device drive circuit 26 which is controlled by the micro-computer 12.
Further, as other processes conducted in the micro-computer 12, miscellaneous processing such as measurement of the residual battery capacity, estimation of the battery life, equalization of the battery charge and the like is performed.
An operation of thus constituted battery charge control system will be described.
Referring to Fig. 3, when a charge current lch is supplied by the battery charger 3, the charge current 1.h is expressed as follows:
[Ch = 1 13 + 1 p -11where 1. is a current passing through the block battery 22 (n) (n 1 to 7) and lp is a current passing through the by-pass device 24 (n) (n 1 to 7).
On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 4, a terminal voltage VE3 of the block battery 22 (n) goes up abruptly at the finishing stage of charging. Since the terminal voltage V. of the block battery 22 (n) is monitored by the amplifiers 20 of the micro-computer 12, when &VI.A (change of voltage per unit time) exceeds a specified value, a finishing stage of charging on the block battery 22 (n) is detected.
Further, in lieu of calculating the aforementioned &V/.&t, the finishing stage of charging may be detected by comparing an absolute value of the terminal voltage V. with a reference voltage. In this case, the charging is judged to have been finished when the terminal voltage V. exceeds the reference voltage.
Furthermore, alternatively, the detection of the finishing stage of charge may be made by detecting the change of &VI,&t in the negative direction as shown in Fig. 4 or by detecting the change of temperature. &T/.&t based on temperature data from the temperature sensors 16. In this case, the finishing stage of charging is judged when &TIM exceeds a specified value.
When the micro-computer 12 detects a finishing stage of charging on the block battery 22 (n), the micro-computer controls the device drive circuit 26 so as to output a drive signal to the by-pass device 24 (n). Then, responsive to the drive signal, the by-pass device 24 (n) passes a by-pass -12current lp and consequently the charge current [E3 passing through the block battery 22 (n) is reduced step-by-step and finally reaches such a minimum value of the charge current 1. as to be able to maintain the terminal voltage VE3 at a constant value corresponding to the maximum rated voltage, as shown in Fig. 5. For example, in this embodiment, the maximum rated voltage of V. is 58.8 Volts (= 14.7 Volts x 4) and the minimum value of the charge current 1. is approximately 1 Ampere. Thus, the terminal voltage V. is restricted from rising and prevented from being overcharged. Further, in this case, the minimum charge current 1. is used for heating the block battery 22 (n) itself so that the block battery (n) continues to be activated.
In the example shown in Fig. 5, the by-pass current lp is controlled to be reduced step-by-step. However Fig. 6 indicates an example of reducing the by-pass current lp continuously. Further, the minimum charge current 1. may be fed continuously or for a specified time with a given time interval.
As time elapses, when the by-pass current lp passes through all by-pass devices 24 and the charge current 1. passing through the block batteries 22 becomes 1 Ampere, the micro-computer 12 detects this and outputs a signal so as to operate a warning lamp 31 and at the same time instruct a charge stop to the battery charger 3 in order to stop charging. This signal for operating the warning lamp 31 and instructing a charge stop is outputted also when either of the by-pass device 24 (n) has failed, such as when it is short-circuited. The battery charger 3 stops charging in -13response to the signal.
Further, when the terminal voltage V. reaches a specified value and the charge current 1,h supplied from the battery charger 3 is still larger than a specified value, the micro-computer 12 outputs a signal to the battery charger 3 to reduce the charge current lch' Thus, the minimum current of 1 Amp. passes through the battery 22 (n) for a specified time. This signal for reducing the charge current lch is outputted also when the terminal voltage of the block battery 22 (n) reaches a specified value while either of the by-pass device 24 (n) has failed in an open state.
The following is a detailed description of the method of reducing the charge current I..
Assuming the by-pass device 24 (n) to be an equivalent bipolar transistor as shown in Fig. 7, when the base current Ib is zero, the transistor is turned off and its operating point is in an open condition in Fig. 8 showing an amplifying operation of the transistor. On the other hand, when the base current lb 'S increased, the transistor is turned on and the operating point becomes saturated.
Letting the collector current of the transistor be IC, the following relation is formed:
IC = 0 1 b (fl: current amplification factor) In this case, since the collector current IC corresponds to a current lp flowing through the by-pass device 24 (n), when the micro-computer 12 controls the device drive circuit 26 so as to change the base current Ibl that -14is, a drive signal from the device drive circuit 26, in an analogue fashion, the collector current IC, that is, the by-pass current lp passing through the by-pass device 24 (n) is changed and consequently the charge current IB passing through the block battery 22 (n) is changed (reduced) step-by-step as in Fig. 5 or continuously as in Fig. 6. In this case, because the by-pass current is consumed in the transistor, some radiation structure like a heat sink is needed in the by-pass device 24 (n).
In this example of the presentation, the control circuit is constituted such that the base current lb, i.e., the drive signal from the device drive circuit 26, is changed in an analogue fashion. However, the way of changing of the base current lb is not limited to the above. For example, by changing the base current lb with a duty ratio, the collector current I', namely, the by-pass current lp may be changed. In this case, as shown in Fig. 9, a resistance is connected serially with the transistor so as to protect the transistor from heat damage.
Thus, in the battery charge control system according to this embodiment, the micro-computer 12 monitors the terminal voltage for each of the block batteries 22 (n). For example, when AWat (voltage change per unit time) exceeds a specified value, judging to be a finishing stage of charge on the block battery 22 (n), the by-pass current lp passing through the bypass device 24 (n) is changed by the drive signal from the device drive circuit 26. Then, the charge current 1. passing through the block battery 22 (n) is reduced in a step-by-step or continuous manner, whereby -15the terminal voltageVBcan be restricted under a certain voltage. Thus, an equal charging can be obtained throughout the whole block battery 22 (n).
Further, in lieu of monitoring the change of the terminal voltageVB of the block battery 22 (n), monitoring the change of the charge current 'B is acceptable. That is to say, when the block battery 22 (n) is charged to some extent, the charge current fed from the battery charger 3 fails. Specifically, when the charge current becomes lower than a specified value, the by-pass current lp is allowed to be supplied. In this case, since the by-pass current passing through the by-pass device 24 (n) is so small that heat generation from the by-pass device 24 (n) is maintained in a low level, this enables a safe and small by-pass device.
Further, as shown in Fig. 10, this is an example of a module 41 constituted by a block battery 22, a by-pass device 24, a current sensor 14, amplifier 18, a temperature sensor 16 and a voltage sensor (amplifier) 20. In designing an electric vehicle, packaging of components like this will be useful in consideration of the maintenance of the vehicle.
in summary, according to the battery charge control system of the present invention, since a plurality of batteries are charged by monitoring the state of charging for each battery, not only excessive or insufficient charging can be prevented, but also it is possible to charge the plurality of batteries for electric vehicles, boats and the like safely and quickly with an equal charging amount among batteries.
While the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention -16has been shown and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration and that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

-17CLAIMS
1. A battery charge control system having at least one block battery comprising by a plurality of batteries and a battery charger for feeding a charge current to said block battery, comprising: charge finishing stage detecting means for detecting a charge finishing stage of said block battery; and charge current control means for controlling said charge current passing through said block battery when said charge finishing stage is detected, so as to prevent overcharging.
2. A battery charge control system having at least one block battery comprising a plurality of batteries and a battery charger for feeding a charge current to said block battery, comprising:
a voltage sensor for detecting a terminal voltage of said block battery; battery managing means for comparing said terminal voltage with a reference voltage and for outputting a signal when said terminal voltage exceeds said reference voltage; and a by-pass device connected in parallel with said block battery responsive to said signal for by-passing a part of said charge current so as not to raise said terminal voltage above a specified value.
3. A battery charge control system having at least one block battery comprising a plurality of batteries and a battery charger for feeding a charge current to said block battery, comprising:
a voltage sensor for detecting a terminal voltage of said block battery; battery managing means for calculating a rate of change of said terminal voltage, for comparing said change rate with a predetermined value and for outputting a signal when said rate of change exceeds said predetermined value; and a by-pass device connected in parallel with said block battery responsive to said signal for by-passing a part of said charge current so as not to raise said terminal voltage above a specified value.
4. A battery charge control system having at least one block battery comprising a plurality of batteries and a battery charger for feeding a charge current to said block battery, comprising:
a voltage sensor for detecting a terminal voltage of said block battery; battery managing means for calculating a rate of change of said terminal voltage and for outputting a signal when said rate of change of said terminal voltage is converted to a negative value; and a by-pass device connected in parallel with said block battery responsive to said signal for by-passing a part of said charge current so as not to raise said terminal voltage above a specified value.
5. A battery charge control system having at least one block battery comprising a plurality of batteries and a battery charger for feeding a charge current to said block battery, comprising:
a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of said block battery; battery managing means for calculating a rate of change of said temperature, for comparing said rate of change with a preset value and for outputting a signal when said rate of change of said temperature exceeds said preset value; and a by-pass device connected in parallel with said block battery responsive to said signal for by-passing a part of said charge current so as not to raise said terminal voltage above a specified value.
6. A battery charge control system having at least one block battery comprising a plurality of batteries and a battery charger for feeding a charge current to said block battery, comprising:
a current sensor for detecting said charge current; battery managing means for comparing said charge current with a specified current value and for outputting a signal when said charge current becomes lower than said specified current value; and a by-pass device connected in parallel with said block battery responsive to said signal for by-passing a part of said charge current so as not to raise said terminal voltage above a specified value.
7. A battery charge control system having at least one block battery comprising a plurality of batteries and a battery charger for feeding a charge current to said block battery, comprising:
a voltage sensor for detecting a terminal voltage of said block -20battery; a current sensor for detecting said charge current; a battery managing unit for outputting a signal to reduce said charge current to said battery charger when said charge current is larger than a specified current value, after said terminal voltage reaches a specified voltage.
8. A battery charge control system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said specified value is a rated terminal voltage of said block battery.
9. A battery charge control system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said specified value is a rated terminal voltage of said block battery.
10. A battery charge control system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said specified value is a rated terminal voltage of said block battery.
11. A battery charge control system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said specified value is a rated terminal voltage of said block battery.
12. A battery charge control system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said specified value is a rated terminal voltage of said block battery.
13. A battery charge control system substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.
14. A vehicle comprising a battery charge control system as claimed in any of the preceding claims.
GB9707073A 1996-04-24 1997-04-07 Battery charge control system Expired - Fee Related GB2312571B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP8102804A JPH09294337A (en) 1996-04-24 1996-04-24 Battery charging controlling system for electric vehicle

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9707073D0 GB9707073D0 (en) 1997-05-28
GB2312571A true GB2312571A (en) 1997-10-29
GB2312571B GB2312571B (en) 1999-01-06

Family

ID=14337259

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9707073A Expired - Fee Related GB2312571B (en) 1996-04-24 1997-04-07 Battery charge control system

Country Status (3)

Country Link
JP (1) JPH09294337A (en)
DE (1) DE19717105A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2312571B (en)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001045229A1 (en) * 1999-12-14 2001-06-21 J.K. Medico Aps Method for rapid charging of fully enclosed batteries
GB2379099A (en) * 2001-08-24 2003-02-26 Sendo Int Ltd Battery charging apparatus and charging process
GB2386268A (en) * 2001-11-12 2003-09-10 Hewlett Packard Co Battery charging and discharging system
FR2951331A1 (en) * 2009-10-09 2011-04-15 Saft Groupe Sa SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BATTERY CHARGE MANAGEMENT
WO2011108201A1 (en) * 2010-03-01 2011-09-09 株式会社ピューズ Assembled battery
CN102324584A (en) * 2011-09-14 2012-01-18 陕西恒泰通信科技有限公司 Capacity restoration method for storage battery
US8376268B1 (en) 2012-04-09 2013-02-19 Paul Robert Otto Flight control system using thrust devices
GB2515111A (en) * 2013-06-14 2014-12-17 Goodwolfe Energy Ltd Cell management module, battery and methods therefor
EP2826128A4 (en) * 2012-03-16 2016-03-23 Boston Power Inc Method and system for balancing cells with variable bypass current
US11114878B2 (en) 2018-03-26 2021-09-07 Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation High-power battery-powered portable power source
USD933010S1 (en) 2019-05-29 2021-10-12 Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation Portable power source
US11271415B2 (en) 2018-05-18 2022-03-08 Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation Portable power source

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH10285711A (en) * 1997-03-31 1998-10-23 Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd Battery charging device for electric vehicle
EP1042138B1 (en) * 1997-12-23 2007-05-23 Amerigon, Inc. Radio frequency energy management system
CA2276821C (en) * 1998-07-09 2007-11-27 Daniele C. Brotto Method for charging batteries
JP2001021626A (en) * 1999-07-02 2001-01-26 Yazaki Corp Apparatus for measuring capacity of battery with gassing judgment function without using temperature sensor
KR100305854B1 (en) * 1999-07-08 2001-11-01 이계안 A battery charging device and a method thereof for electric car
JP2002165380A (en) * 2000-11-24 2002-06-07 Tokyo R & D Co Ltd Charging system of battery set
DE102004013351A1 (en) * 2004-03-17 2005-10-06 Effekta Regeltechnik Gmbh Device for charging distribution and monitoring of several accumulators
JP5071068B2 (en) * 2007-11-26 2012-11-14 日産自動車株式会社 Vehicle control device
DE102012204966A1 (en) * 2012-03-28 2013-10-02 Robert Bosch Gmbh Battery system used in e.g. electric car, has PTC resistor which is located in close proximity to resistor to switch ON transistor to increase resistance value of PTC resistor while decreasing voltage value by heat action of resistor
CN112622690A (en) * 2020-11-09 2021-04-09 特瓦特能源科技有限公司 Monitoring method and system for power battery safe charging
CN113872281B (en) * 2021-09-24 2024-07-09 广东邦普循环科技有限公司 Battery management system

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1570985A (en) * 1975-10-31 1980-07-09 Philips Electronic Associated Device for utilising solar energy
GB2045020A (en) * 1979-03-16 1980-10-22 Lucas Industries Ltd Battery charging circuit
GB2090084A (en) * 1980-12-23 1982-06-30 Pennwalt Corp Photovoltaic Battery Charging System
EP0258850A2 (en) * 1986-08-29 1988-03-09 Inelco A/S Method and apparatus for charging lead-acid-accumulators
GB2248735A (en) * 1990-09-19 1992-04-15 Gold Star Co Apparatus for controlling charging of a storage battery
GB2259615A (en) * 1991-09-16 1993-03-17 Monarch Marking Systems Inc Multichannel battery charger
EP0546872A1 (en) * 1991-10-30 1993-06-16 Texas Instruments France Improvements in or relating to batteries and battery systems
EP0652620A1 (en) * 1993-10-14 1995-05-10 FIAT AUTO S.p.A. Method of equalizing the voltage across drive batteries for electric vehicles, connected in series during recharging, and a device for implementing the method
WO1995015023A1 (en) * 1993-11-23 1995-06-01 Thomson-Csf Dynamic balancing and monitoring device and process for an accumulator battery pack
WO1995015604A1 (en) * 1993-12-03 1995-06-08 Electronic Power Technology, Inc. Method and apparatus for automatic equalization of series-connected batteries
US5469042A (en) * 1992-08-04 1995-11-21 Gagen Batterie Ag Charging monitor for electrical accumulators

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2725849B1 (en) * 1994-10-18 1996-12-20 Accumulateurs Fixes METHOD FOR REGULATING THE CHARGE OF AN ELECTRIC BATTERY ASSEMBLY AND ARRANGEMENT USING THE SAME

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1570985A (en) * 1975-10-31 1980-07-09 Philips Electronic Associated Device for utilising solar energy
GB2045020A (en) * 1979-03-16 1980-10-22 Lucas Industries Ltd Battery charging circuit
GB2090084A (en) * 1980-12-23 1982-06-30 Pennwalt Corp Photovoltaic Battery Charging System
EP0258850A2 (en) * 1986-08-29 1988-03-09 Inelco A/S Method and apparatus for charging lead-acid-accumulators
GB2248735A (en) * 1990-09-19 1992-04-15 Gold Star Co Apparatus for controlling charging of a storage battery
GB2259615A (en) * 1991-09-16 1993-03-17 Monarch Marking Systems Inc Multichannel battery charger
EP0546872A1 (en) * 1991-10-30 1993-06-16 Texas Instruments France Improvements in or relating to batteries and battery systems
US5469042A (en) * 1992-08-04 1995-11-21 Gagen Batterie Ag Charging monitor for electrical accumulators
EP0652620A1 (en) * 1993-10-14 1995-05-10 FIAT AUTO S.p.A. Method of equalizing the voltage across drive batteries for electric vehicles, connected in series during recharging, and a device for implementing the method
WO1995015023A1 (en) * 1993-11-23 1995-06-01 Thomson-Csf Dynamic balancing and monitoring device and process for an accumulator battery pack
WO1995015604A1 (en) * 1993-12-03 1995-06-08 Electronic Power Technology, Inc. Method and apparatus for automatic equalization of series-connected batteries

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001045229A1 (en) * 1999-12-14 2001-06-21 J.K. Medico Aps Method for rapid charging of fully enclosed batteries
GB2379099A (en) * 2001-08-24 2003-02-26 Sendo Int Ltd Battery charging apparatus and charging process
GB2379099B (en) * 2001-08-24 2005-09-07 Sendo Int Ltd Battery charging apparatus and charging process
GB2386268A (en) * 2001-11-12 2003-09-10 Hewlett Packard Co Battery charging and discharging system
GB2386268B (en) * 2001-11-12 2005-09-28 Hewlett Packard Co Battery charging and discharging system
EP2309615A3 (en) * 2009-10-09 2015-01-14 Saft Groupe S.A. System and method for managing the charge of a battery
FR2951331A1 (en) * 2009-10-09 2011-04-15 Saft Groupe Sa SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BATTERY CHARGE MANAGEMENT
WO2011108201A1 (en) * 2010-03-01 2011-09-09 株式会社ピューズ Assembled battery
CN102324584A (en) * 2011-09-14 2012-01-18 陕西恒泰通信科技有限公司 Capacity restoration method for storage battery
CN102324584B (en) * 2011-09-14 2013-12-18 陕西恒泰通信科技有限公司 Capacity restoration method for storage battery
EP2826128A4 (en) * 2012-03-16 2016-03-23 Boston Power Inc Method and system for balancing cells with variable bypass current
US8376268B1 (en) 2012-04-09 2013-02-19 Paul Robert Otto Flight control system using thrust devices
GB2515111A (en) * 2013-06-14 2014-12-17 Goodwolfe Energy Ltd Cell management module, battery and methods therefor
US11114878B2 (en) 2018-03-26 2021-09-07 Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation High-power battery-powered portable power source
US11996526B2 (en) 2018-03-26 2024-05-28 Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation High-power battery-powered portable power source
US11271415B2 (en) 2018-05-18 2022-03-08 Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation Portable power source
US11742771B2 (en) 2018-05-18 2023-08-29 Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation Portable power source
USD933010S1 (en) 2019-05-29 2021-10-12 Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation Portable power source
USD955334S1 (en) 2019-05-29 2022-06-21 Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation Portable power source

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9707073D0 (en) 1997-05-28
GB2312571B (en) 1999-01-06
JPH09294337A (en) 1997-11-11
DE19717105A1 (en) 1997-11-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
GB2312571A (en) Charging series connected batteries
US7075306B2 (en) Power control unit
US5773962A (en) Battery energy monitoring circuits
US5469042A (en) Charging monitor for electrical accumulators
EP1901412B1 (en) Battery management system and method
EP1914861B1 (en) Battery management system and driving method thereof
US7554300B2 (en) Car power source apparatus
JP5552218B2 (en) Power supply
US7902829B2 (en) Battery management system and driving method thereof
US6828798B2 (en) Method for inspecting relay contacts for contact weld in battery power source device
US6762590B2 (en) Battery power source device and current detection method therefor
KR100544845B1 (en) Power supply for electric vehicle
JP2001185228A (en) Electric power supply equipped with battery
JP3931446B2 (en) Battery charge state adjustment device
JP4457626B2 (en) Battery assembly abnormality determination device and battery assembly abnormality determination method
JP4843921B2 (en) Battery pack capacity adjustment device and battery pack capacity adjustment method
JPH11341693A (en) Set battery having overcharge protective circuit
JP4114310B2 (en) Battery status monitoring device
JP2005117765A (en) Protection controller for battery pack, and protection control method for battery pack
JP4103856B2 (en) Cooling control device for vehicles with dual power source batteries
JPH07264780A (en) Charge-discharge controller for set battery
JP4116756B2 (en) Abnormality detection device for battery pack

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
746 Register noted 'licences of right' (sect. 46/1977)

Effective date: 19991130

PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20060407