JP2000162292A - Device for determining consumption level of battery - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for determining the consumption level of a battery, capable of accurately determining the degree of consumption of a battery, regardless of the heaviness or lightness of load, the type of a battery, or environment temperature. SOLUTION: A device for determining the consumption level of a battery is provided with a voltage-measuring means 11 to measure the output voltage of a battery 50, a determining means 12 for comparing the detected voltage value with a predetermined reference value to determine the consumption level of the battery 50, and a reference value changing means 20 for changing the reference value. The reference value changing means 20 changes the reference value to be used for the comparison, according to the heaviness or lightness of load to be connected to the battery 50, the type of the battery, and the temperature of the battery.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for determining the degree of battery consumption which determines the degree of battery consumption.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, by utilizing the fact that the output voltage gradually decreases with the consumption of a battery, when the output voltage of the battery falls below a predetermined reference voltage value, an advance notice of battery exhaustion and a display of such a message are displayed. For example, the operation of a device driven by a battery is forcibly stopped. This reference voltage value is
Normally, it is always constant regardless of whether the battery is unloaded or loaded, and whether the battery is alkaline or manganese, or whether new and used batteries are mixed. Are used.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-123763 discloses that
A technique is disclosed in which the output voltage of a battery under no load and the output voltage of the battery under load are compared, and the remaining capacity of the battery is determined from the difference between these two voltages. Since this voltage difference changes relatively greatly with the consumption of the battery, the difference in the output voltage under different load conditions is used as a criterion to determine not only the replacement time but also the degree of battery consumption. It is possible to display it.

[0004]

The output voltage of a battery varies depending on the size of a connected load. Therefore, in the one that compares the output voltage of the battery with a predetermined constant reference voltage value regardless of whether the load is loaded or unloaded, when the magnitude of the load fluctuates, it is appropriately determined when to replace the battery. Can not do.

For example, if a reference voltage value set on the assumption that a large load is connected is fixedly used, it is determined that there is no need to replace the battery when a small load is connected. If the device is continued to be used without replacing it, a necessary voltage cannot be obtained when a large load is connected, and a situation may occur in which the device cannot be used suddenly.

Also, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-123763, the remaining capacity of the battery is determined according to the difference (voltage difference) between the output voltage when no load is applied and when the load is applied. Also, since the magnitude of the voltage difference differs depending on the magnitude of the load connected when there is a load, the connected load is 2
When the load of more than one type or one type of load fluctuates, there is a problem that the remaining capacity of the battery cannot be accurately grasped.

[0007] Further, between the alkaline battery and the manganese battery, the degree of decrease in the output voltage due to the consumption of the battery is different, and the difference in the internal resistance causes the difference in the output voltage variation due to the difference in the size of the connected load. Occurs. The output voltage and internal resistance of the battery also depend on the temperature of the battery itself. Therefore, if the same reference voltage value is always used as in the related art, or if the voltage difference is converted to the remaining capacity of the battery according to the same reference value, if the battery type is changed or if the battery temperature fluctuates significantly, the appropriate There was a problem that the replacement time and the true remaining capacity could not be recognized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to accurately determine the degree of battery consumption regardless of the size of the load, the type of battery, and the temperature of the battery. It is an object of the present invention to provide a battery consumption degree determination device that can perform the above.

[0009]

The gist of the present invention to achieve the above object lies in the following inventions. [1] In a battery consumption level determining device for determining a battery consumption level, a voltage measuring means (1) for measuring an output voltage of a battery.
1) determining means (12) for comparing the voltage value detected by the voltage measuring means (11) with a predetermined reference value to determine the degree of battery consumption; and changing a reference value for changing the reference value Means (20), wherein the reference value changing means (20) changes the reference value according to the magnitude of a load connected to the battery. .

[2] In the battery consumption level determining apparatus for determining the level of battery consumption, a voltage measuring means (11) for measuring the output voltage of the battery and the voltage measuring means (11) in at least two states where the magnitudes of the connected loads are different. A voltage difference obtaining means (14) for obtaining a voltage difference between the output voltages of the batteries, a conversion means (15) for converting the voltage difference obtained by the voltage difference obtaining means (14) into a value representing the degree of battery consumption; A reference value changing means (2) for changing a reference value used when the conversion means (15) converts the voltage difference into a value indicating the degree of battery consumption.
0), wherein the reference value changing means (20) changes the reference value in accordance with the magnitude of a connected load.

[3] A voltage difference between the output voltages of the batteries in at least two states where the magnitudes of the connected loads are different is determined when the remaining capacity of the batteries is equal to or more than a predetermined value or when the batteries are replaced. Storage means (30) for storing a value representing the correspondence between the voltage difference and the magnitude of the load connected when the voltage difference was obtained; the reference value changing means (20) being stored in the storage means (30); The battery consumption level determination device according to [1] or [2], wherein the reference value is changed based on the set value.

[4] A temperature detecting means (13) for detecting the temperature of the battery is provided, and the reference value changing means (2) is provided.
0) changing the reference value in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means (13), wherein the battery consumption level determination device according to [1], [2], or [3].

[5] The battery is provided with a predetermined heating device (20
2, 203, 204) are arranged in an environment where the temperature is raised by the heat generated, and the reference value changing means (20) is provided with the heating device (202, 203, 204).
[1], [2], and [3], wherein the reference value is changed according to the length of time during which the heating operation is performed.
Or the battery consumption degree judging device according to [4].

[6] The load connected to the battery is predetermined, and the reference value changing means (20)
The reference value is changed according to which of the predetermined loads is connected to the battery [1], [2], [3], [4] or [5].
The battery consumption degree determination device according to the above.

The present invention operates as follows. The voltage measuring means (11) measures the output voltage (voltage between both ends) of the battery, and the judging means (12) compares the voltage value detected by the voltage measuring means (11) with a predetermined reference value. Is determined. The reference value changing means (20) changes the reference value used by the determining means (12) according to the magnitude of the load connected to the battery.

As described above, when the battery consumption level is determined by comparing the output voltage value of the battery with the reference value, the reference value used for the determination is determined according to the magnitude of the load connected to the battery. Therefore, the degree of battery consumption can be accurately determined regardless of what load is connected.

The voltage difference obtaining means (14) obtains the voltage difference between the output voltages of the batteries in two states where the magnitudes of the connected loads are different, and the conversion means (15) outputs the voltage difference obtaining means (14). Is converted into a value indicating the degree of battery consumption. The reference value changing means (20) is connected with a reference value used when the conversion means (15) converts the voltage difference into a value indicating the degree of battery consumption, for example, a coefficient of a conversion table or a conversion formula. Change according to the size of the load.

As described above, the reference value used when converting the voltage difference between the output voltages of the batteries in the two states in which loads having different magnitudes are individually connected to the degree of consumption of the battery is determined by the magnitude of the connected load. Therefore, the degree of battery consumption can be accurately determined regardless of what kind of load is connected.

Further, a voltage difference between the output voltages of the batteries in two states where the magnitudes of the connected loads are different is obtained when the remaining capacity of the battery is equal to or more than a predetermined value or when the battery is replaced. Storage means (30) for storing a value indicating a correspondence relationship with the magnitude of the load connected when obtaining
To memorize. Then, based on the value stored in the storage means (30), the reference value to be compared with the output voltage value of the battery and the reference value to be referred to when converting the voltage difference into the consumption level are changed.

When the remaining capacity of the battery is equal to or more than a certain value, for example, immediately after the battery is replaced, the difference in the output voltage (voltage difference) of the battery that appears when the magnitude of the connected load is changed depends on the type of the battery (alkaline battery). And manganese batteries) and whether all batteries are new or old are mixed. Therefore, based on the correspondence between the voltage difference obtained by changing the magnitude of the load when the remaining capacity is equal to or greater than the load and the magnitude of those loads, that is, based on the magnitude of the voltage difference with respect to the amount of change in the load, By changing the reference value used in the determination and conversion, even if the type of the battery or the like is changed, the degree of consumption of the battery can be accurately determined.

If the size of the load to be connected is fixedly determined when determining the type of the battery, the type of the battery is determined based only on the value of the voltage difference, and the result of the determination is determined. Based on this, the reference value used in the subsequent determination or conversion can be changed.

Further, in the apparatus having the temperature detecting means (13) for detecting the temperature of the battery, the reference value is changed in consideration of the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means (13).
Since the internal resistance of the battery changes when it is cold and when it is warm, the magnitude of the output voltage difference depending on the size of the load also varies depending on the temperature. By changing the reference value, the degree of battery consumption can be accurately determined even in an environment where the temperature fluctuates.

For example, in the case of a battery loaded in a bathtub installed in a bathroom, the battery is placed inside the bathtub when the bathroom is cold and when the burner of the bathtub is burning. Changing the reference value according to the temperature is particularly effective because the temperature of the battery is significantly different.

The batteries loaded in a bath kettle or the like installed in the bathroom are provided with a heating device such as a burner (202, 20).
3, 204), the temperature is gradually increased by the generated heat, so that the output voltage value of the battery fluctuates according to the length of the heating time. Therefore, when determining the degree of consumption of the battery placed in such an environment, the heating device (202,
By changing the reference value according to the length of the heating time in steps 203 and 204), the degree of battery consumption can be accurately determined.

Of course, the heating time and temperature detecting means (1
The reference value may be changed based on both of the environmental temperatures detected in 3). That is, when the heating of the burner or the like starts, the environmental temperature rises immediately, but the temperature of the battery itself gradually rises later than the environmental temperature rise.
By taking into account both the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means (13) and the heating time, it is possible to accurately compensate for differences in output voltage caused by temperature.

Note that the magnitude of the load connected to the battery may be measured each time. However, if the load to be connected is predetermined, it is determined which load is connected to the battery. If the reference value is changed accordingly, it is not necessary to measure the magnitude of the load, and the device configuration can be simplified.

[0027]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a circuit configuration of a battery consumption degree determination device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The battery consumption degree determination device 10 includes a voltage measurement unit 11 that measures an output voltage of the battery 50,
Determining means 12 for determining the degree of consumption of the battery 50 by comparing the voltage value detected by the control unit with a predetermined reference value; a reference value changing means 20 for appropriately changing the reference value used by the determining means 12; Battery type determination storage means 30 for determining the type of the battery 50 and the like.

The reference value changing means 20 included in the battery consumption degree judging device 10 is disposed near the battery 50,
Is connected to a battery thermistor 13 as temperature detecting means for measuring the ambient temperature of the battery. Further, a battery consumption level display unit 40 for displaying the result of the determination by the determination means 12 is connected to the battery consumption level determination device 10.

A first load 61 and a second load 62 are connected to the battery 50 via a load switching unit 60 for switching a load to be connected. The first load 61 and the second load 62 have different loads from each other, and the loads are known.

The load switching section 60 switches a load connected to the battery 50 in accordance with a load switching signal 63 input from a circuit (not shown). Here, a state where only the first load 61 is connected, a state where only the second load 62 is connected, a state where both the first load 61 and the second load 62 are connected, and a state where the first load 61 and the second load 62 are both connected. It is possible to switch to a state in which neither the first load 61 nor the second load 62 is connected. A main switch 64 is connected to the battery 50 in series. The battery consumption degree determination device 10 includes:
Power is supplied from the battery 50, and when the main switch 64 is turned on, the battery consumption degree determination device 10 enters an operating state.

The battery type determination storage means 30 has a battery replacement presence / absence determination section 31 for determining whether or not the loaded battery 50 has been replaced. Battery replacement determination section 31
Is to judge that the battery has been replaced based on the fluctuation history of the output voltage of the battery 50, that is, based on the fact that the output voltage of the battery 50 gradually decreases and then rapidly increases. The battery type determination storage unit 30 determines the type of battery (alkaline battery, manganese battery, etc.) based on how much the output voltage of the battery 50 fluctuates (initial voltage difference) depending on the size of the connected load. In addition, the determination result is stored. Here, when the battery is replaced, the battery type is determined and the storage content is updated.

The reference value changing means 20 stores various reference values in the reference value storage unit 21 and, among them, the magnitude of the load connected to the battery 50, the temperature of the battery 50, and the battery type. It has a function of selecting an optimal reference value using the battery type stored in the determination storage means 30 as a parameter and supplying the same to the determination means 12. The determining means 12, the reference value changing means 20, the battery type determination storing means 3
0 is CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory)
And a circuit whose main part is. Also R
Part of the AM is non-volatile.

Next, the operation will be described. First, the output voltage characteristics of the battery will be described. FIG. 2 shows the correspondence between the battery operating time and the battery output voltage for each of the manganese battery and the alkaline battery when the load is light and when the load is large. The left half of the figure shows the characteristics of the manganese battery,
The right half shows the characteristics of the alkaline battery. The upper solid lines 81 and 91 respectively show the output voltage under light load, and the lower solid lines 82 and 92 show the output voltage under heavy load.

Both the manganese battery and the alkaline battery
If the load is the same, the output voltage (the voltage between both ends) gradually decreases as the use time elapses. Further, if the usage time is the same, the output voltage of both the manganese battery and the alkaline battery is lower when the load is larger than when the load is lighter.

Further, if the use time is the same, the difference (voltage difference) between the output voltage in the case of light load and the case of heavy load (voltage difference)
, Alkaline batteries tend to be smaller than manganese batteries. This tendency becomes more pronounced when the battery is newer.
For example, a voltage difference VM1 between when the manganese battery is connected to a light load and when the manganese battery is connected to a large load during a period when the battery consumption is low
Is about twice the voltage difference VA1 of the alkaline battery during the same battery consumption period. However, as the battery consumption progresses, the difference between the manganese battery and the alkaline battery decreases, and immediately before the replacement time when the battery consumption has progressed, the voltage difference VM2 of the manganese battery and the voltage difference VA of the alkaline battery.
2, the voltage difference VM2 on the manganese battery side
Is slightly larger than VA2.

Although not shown, when the battery 50 is composed of a plurality of batteries, in which old and new batteries are mixed, when the load is light and when the load is large, Tend to be larger than when no old and new voltage are mixed. Furthermore, the output voltage of a battery also depends on the temperature of the battery (mainly that the internal resistance value fluctuates depending on the temperature). When the temperature of the battery is low, the load is larger than when the battery temperature is high. There is a characteristic that the voltage difference becomes small with respect to the fluctuation of the voltage.

FIG. 3 shows the flow of operation when the battery consumption level determining device 10 determines the battery consumption level.
The battery consumption level determination device 10 compares the output voltage of the battery 50 with two reference values, a reference value for battery replacement sign and a reference value for stopping use of the appliance, and should display a battery replacement warning according to the comparison result. It is determined whether or not the operation of the device driven by the battery 50 should be forcibly stopped. The reference value used for the determination is
The degree of battery consumption can be determined without being influenced by these factors by switching according to the magnitude of the load connected to the battery, the type of battery, and the temperature of the battery.

In this embodiment, the loads are classified into three types: light load, medium load and heavy load. The light load is a state in which the main switch 64 is turned on, and only the battery consumption degree determination device 10 itself is connected as a load, and the first load 6
This is a state where the first and second loads 62 are not connected. The medium load is a state in which one of the first load 61 and the second load 62 is connected in addition to the light load,
The large load is a state in which both the first load 61 and the second load 62 are connected in addition to the light load.

First, when the main switch 64 is turned on, the battery replacement presence / absence determining unit 31 determines whether the battery has been replaced (step S101). The battery replacement presence / absence determining unit 31 determines that the battery 50 has been replaced when the output voltage of the battery 50 in a predetermined load state sharply increases from the previous value. In this case, the presence or absence of battery replacement is determined by whether or not the output voltage of the battery 50 at the time of light load has increased by a certain amount or more compared to the previous one. You may make it compare.

When it is determined that the battery has been replaced (step S101; Y), a battery replacement flag assigned to a predetermined address of the internal RAM is set (step S102).
Set the battery type to the standard type (step S10
3). Here, the standard type corresponds to a new manganese battery.

When the battery has been replaced, the above-described processing is performed. When the battery has not been replaced, the above-described processing is not performed. For example, immediately after the main switch 64 is turned on, or when the first load 61 or the second load 62 is connected and a current flows through them, the degree of consumption of the battery 50 is determined.

When the discrimination timing comes (step S
104; Y), the load state at that time is changed to a load switching signal 63
(Step S105). Next, the temperature of the battery 50 is determined based on the temperature detected by the battery thermistor 13 (step S106). The reference value changing means 20 selects an optimum reference value by using the load state, the battery temperature, and the battery type as parameters (step S1).
07).

The judging means 12 compares the output voltage value of the battery 50 measured by the voltage measuring means 11 with the reference value changing means 2.
The battery consumption level is determined by comparing the reference value selected by 0 (steps S108 and S109), and the result is displayed on the battery consumption level display section 40 (step S11).
0). Here, two reference values, a battery replacement sign reference value and an appliance use stop reference value, are selected as the reference values, and these are compared with the output voltage value of the battery 50, so that the battery replacement time comes. Is determined.

When the output voltage of the battery 50 is equal to or lower than the appliance use stop reference value, a signal is output to the appliance driven by the battery 50 to forcibly stop its use, and the battery life has expired. Is displayed on the battery consumption level display section 40. When the output voltage value of the battery 50 is equal to or more than the appliance use stop reference value and equal to or less than the battery replacement sign reference value, a warning that the battery should be replaced is displayed on the battery consumption level display unit 40.

Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the battery replacement flag is set (step S111). If the flag is not set (step S111; N), the process returns to step S104, and the next determination timing is reached. wait. On the other hand, when the battery replacement flag is set (step S111; Y), the battery type determination storage unit 3
0 stores the output voltage measured this time and the load state at that time (step S112). When the output voltage value of the battery 50 in two different load states has been measured by this measurement (step S113; Y), the magnitude of the load in the two different load states is measured. The battery type is determined from the difference and the voltage difference, and the content stored in the battery type determination storage unit 30 is updated to a new battery type.

As shown in FIG. 2, the voltage difference between a light load and a heavy load is considerably larger in a manganese battery than in an alkaline battery. When a new battery and a used battery are mixed, the voltage difference between a light load and a large load becomes larger than when all batteries are replaced with new batteries. Therefore, whether the type of the replaced battery is a new manganese battery, a new alkaline battery, or a manganese battery in which a new battery and a used battery are mixed is measured under two types of load conditions. The determination is made based on the magnitude of the voltage difference between the output voltages.

After the determination of the battery type and the updating thereof are completed, the battery replacement flag is reset (step S115). On the other hand, when the output voltage of the battery 50 has not yet been measured only in one type of load state (step S
113; N), the process returns to step S104 without resetting the battery replacement flag.

Here, the voltage difference for determining the battery type is fixedly determined so as to use the voltage difference between light load and medium load. Therefore, even if the measurement is completed in two types of load states, the battery exchange flag is not reset unless they are light load and medium load. In addition, since the two types of load states used for obtaining the voltage difference are fixedly determined in this way, the battery type is determined based on only the voltage difference without considering the two types of loads. are doing.

Next, how to change the reference value according to the magnitude of the load will be described. For example, under the condition that a new manganese battery having a voltage of 3 volts is used, 2.6 V is used as a reference value for battery replacement sign at light load, and 2.4 V is used as a reference value for stopping use of the appliance.
V is selected. Similarly, in the case of a medium load, 2.5 V is selected as the battery replacement sign reference value and 2.3 V is selected as the appliance use stop reference value. At the time of a heavy load, 2.4 V is selected as the reference value for the battery replacement sign, and 2.2 V is selected as the reference value for stopping the use of the appliance. That is, as the load increases, each reference value decreases. This takes into account that when the load is small, the output voltage value decreases when a large load is connected, compared to the output voltage at that time.

As described above, by changing the reference value according to the magnitude of the load, the battery replacement sign does not appear at the time of light load, but when the apparatus is started to be driven, the load becomes large and the output voltage decreases. However, it is possible to eliminate a problem that the device does not operate. In other words, if the reference value at the time of heavy load is always adopted regardless of the size of the load, at light load, although the output voltage was higher than the reference value of the battery replacement sign, In such a case, a case may occur in which the output voltage suddenly drops and the device becomes inoperable. On the other hand, if the reference value at the time of light load is changed to a voltage value higher than that at the time of heavy load, a battery exchange sign or the like can be accurately issued even under light load.

On the other hand, if the reference value at the time of light load is always adopted regardless of the size of the load, when a large load is connected, a battery exchange sign or the like is issued even though the remaining battery capacity is still sufficient. This will encourage the user to uselessly replace the battery. However, if the reference value is changed according to the magnitude of the load, such a case will not occur.

Each reference value is changed as follows according to the battery type. As shown in FIG. 2, in the case of an alkaline battery, as compared with a manganese battery, the amount of change in the output voltage due to the magnitude of the load is small. The reference values for the battery replacement sign at time, medium load, and heavy load can be set lower than those values for the manganese batteries, respectively.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, when the reference value for battery replacement sign (83) at the time of light load of the manganese battery is used as it is as the reference value for battery replacement sign at the time of light load of the alkaline battery, the remaining capacity is still sufficient. The exchange sign will be issued at the time (84) when is left. Therefore, in order to output the battery replacement sign at the same usage time (93) as the usage time at which the battery replacement sign appears at a heavy load under a light load, the reference value (83) for the manganese battery in the figure is required.
It is necessary to adopt a lower reference value (94).

When the reference value (85) for the manganese battery is adopted for the alkaline battery, the appliance stops at a time (86) slightly earlier than the original stop time. Therefore, at the time of light load, in order to make the equipment use stop state at the same use time (95) as the use time at which the equipment use stop state occurs at the time of large load, the reference value (85) for the manganese battery in the figure is required. It is necessary to employ a slightly lower reference voltage (96).

For example, specifically, the reference value is changed as follows according to the type of the battery. In the case of an alkaline battery, the reference value for battery replacement at light load is reduced from 2.6 V for a manganese battery to 2.5 V, and the reference value for appliance use at light load is reduced from 2.4 V for a manganese battery. Reduce to 2.25V. In the case of an alkaline battery, the reference value for battery replacement at a medium load is reduced from 2.5 V for a manganese battery to 2.45 V, and the reference value for stopping use of the appliance at a medium load is from 2.3 V for a manganese battery to 2.3 V. Reduce to 2V. In case of heavy load,
The reference value of the battery replacement sign is lowered from 2.4 V for the manganese battery to 2.35 V, and the reference value for stopping the use of the appliance is 2.2 V, the same as for the manganese battery.

On the other hand, when a new battery and a used battery are mixed in the replaced manganese battery, the fluctuation of the output voltage due to the magnitude of the load becomes larger than that in the case of only a new manganese battery. Therefore, the reference value for stopping the use of the appliance and the reference value for the battery replacement sign at the time of light load or medium load are set higher than those values for a new manganese battery.

For example, the reference value of the battery replacement sign at light load is changed from 2.6 V for a new manganese battery to 2.65.
V and the reference value for stopping the use of the appliance under light load is increased from 2.4 V with a new manganese battery to 2.5 V. In addition, the reference value of the battery replacement sign at the time of medium load is increased from 2.5V for a new manganese battery to 2.55V, and the reference value for stopping use of the appliance at the time of medium load is increased from 2.3V for a manganese battery to 2.4V. . In the case of a heavy load, the reference value for stopping the use of the appliance and the reference value for the battery replacement sign are not changed from the value of the new manganese battery.

Further, when the ambient temperature at which the battery is used is low, the difference in the output voltage depending on the magnitude of the load tends to be small. Therefore, the lower the temperature, the lower the reference value, especially the light load or the middle load. Reduce the reference value for battery replacement sign and the reference value for stopping the use of equipment.

As described above, the comparison voltage value (reference value) for determining the degree of battery consumption is changed according to the magnitude of the load applied to the battery, the type of the battery, and the temperature of the battery. However, regardless of this, the degree of battery consumption can be accurately determined. As a result, there is no sudden sign that the device cannot be operated without the battery replacement sign, or the battery replacement sign does not appear even though there is still enough remaining capacity. Can be encouraged.

Next, a case where the battery consumption degree judging device 10 is applied to a balanced bath kettle 200 as shown in FIG. 4 will be described. As shown in the figure, the balance-type bath kettle 200 is arranged in the bathroom in a line with the bathtub 300, and in order to avoid electric shock or the like, without using a commercial power supply.
The built-in battery 50 provides necessary power.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the balance type bath kettle 200. The balanced bath kettle 200 is provided with a hot water supply operation for tapping water toward a predetermined faucet or shower head, and a bathtub 30.
It has the functions of a filling operation for filling the water in the bathtub 0 and an operation of refining the water in the bathtub 300. The combustion gas is supplied to the pilot burner 2 via the thermocouple solenoid valve 201.
02, bath main burner 203, hot water main burner 20
4 respectively. The thermocouple solenoid valve 201 is in a closed state when the instrument stopper knob 210 is not pressed down, and the pilot burner 202 is closed.
In this state, the supply of the combustion gas to the bathroom and the bath main burner 203 is interrupted.

The supply of the combustion gas to the bath main burner 203 exits from the thermocouple solenoid valve 201 and is supplied to the bath main burner 2.
Also controlled by a bath gas solenoid valve 205 provided in the middle of the gas pipe up to 03. The supply of the combustion gas to the hot water supply main burner 204 is also controlled by a hot water supply gas electromagnetic valve 206 provided in the middle of the gas pipe from the thermocouple solenoid valve 201 to the hot water supply main burner 204.

An igniter electrode 211 as an ignition device is arranged near the pilot burner 202. In the vicinity of the pilot burner 202, when the pilot burner 202 raises a flame, the flame rod electrode 2 is disposed so as to be located in the flame.
12 and a thermocouple 213 are provided.

The thermocouple solenoid valve 201 has an electromagnet driven by the current generated by the thermocouple 213. The user pushes down the instrument plug knob 210 to release the pilot burner 2.
After a while, the heated thermocouple 213 starts power generation, and the current from the thermocouple 213 excites the electromagnet of the thermocouple solenoid valve 201. Thereafter, the user operates the appliance plug knob. Even when 210 is released, the thermocouple solenoid valve 201 is kept open.

The bath main burner 203 and the hot water supply main burner 204 are arranged in the vicinity of the pilot burner 202. When the pilot burner 202 is burning, the hot water supply gas solenoid valve 206 is opened and the hot water supply main burner 2 is opened.
When the combustion gas is supplied to the bath 04 or the bath gas solenoid valve 205 is opened to supply the combustion gas to the bath main burner 203, these burners 203 and 204 are always ignited by the fire from the pilot burner 202. I have.

Above the hot water supply main burner 204, a hot water supply heat exchanger 220 for heating the water supply is arranged. Above bath main burner 203, bathtub 30
Bath heat exchanger 221 for reheating and heating hot water inside 0
Is arranged. The hot water supplied through the hot water supply heat exchanger 220 is dropped into the bathtub 300 by opening the pouring solenoid valve 222.

Although not shown, the balance type bath kettle 200 has the same battery consumption degree judging device 10 as that of FIG. 1, and in addition to the control circuit of the balance type bath kettle 200 by the battery 50, the bath gas electromagnetic Valve 205, hot water supply gas solenoid valve 20
6. The pouring solenoid valve 222, the igniter electrode 211 and the like are driven.

First, the ignition operation and the operation for determining the degree of battery consumption at that time will be described. FIG. 6 shows the flow of the operation for determining the degree of battery consumption during the ignition operation. When the device stopper knob 210 is pushed from the "stop" position to the "fire" position, the ignition micro switch (the main switch 64 shown in FIG. 1) is turned on (step S401).

In this state, power is supplied to the control circuit (not shown) of the balance type bathtub 200 and the circuit itself of the battery consumption degree judging device 10. Thus, the main switch 64
Is turned on and the control circuit and the like operate in a light load state in this example. In addition to this, bath gas solenoid valve 2
05 or the hot water supply gas solenoid valve 206 is operated at the time of medium load (during combustion), and when the bath gas solenoid valve 205 and the pouring solenoid valve 222 are simultaneously opened (during pouring), a large load is applied. Time.

Since the state in which the main switch 64 is only turned on is the time of light load, 2.4 V for light load is selected as the reference value for stopping the use of the appliance, and this value is compared with the output voltage value of the battery 50 ( Step S402). If the output voltage of the battery 50 is not higher than 2.4 V (step S40).
2; N), the display for battery replacement is turned on (step S40).
3) An error code indicating that subsequent operations cannot be continued due to battery exhaustion is displayed on a display unit (not shown) (step S404). Thereafter, the user releases the instrument plug knob 210 and turns off the main switch 64, thereby ending a series of operations due to battery exhaustion.

On the other hand, when the output voltage of the battery 50 is equal to or higher than the reference value for stopping use of the appliance at light load of 2.4 V (step S402; Y), the output voltage of the battery is changed to the reference value of the battery replacement sign at light load. Is compared with 2.6V (step S406). Here, when the output voltage of the battery 50 is not higher than 2.6 V (step S406;
N), after blinking the display of the battery replacement (step S4).
07) If the output voltage of the battery 50 is 2.6 V or more (step S406; Y), the ignition operation of the pilot flame is performed without blinking the display of the battery replacement (step S4).
08).

In the pilot ignition operation, the appliance stopper knob 210 is used.
Is pushed around by the user, so the thermocouple solenoid valve 2
01 is open, and gas is supplied to the pilot burner 202 through the thermocouple solenoid valve 201. At this time, an IG transformer (igniter transformer) 214 is connected as a load to the battery 50, and discharge starts from an igniter electrode 211 arranged near the pilot burner 202.
The pilot burner 202 ignites. When the pilot burner 202 is ignited, the flame is detected by the flame rod electrode 212, and the flame indication on the operation unit (not shown) blinks.

When the flame display flashes, the user keeps pushing the device tap knob 210 until the flame display is turned on. During this time, the thermocouple 213 attached to the pilot burner 202
Is heated to generate an electromotive force, and the electromotive force excites the electromagnet of the thermocouple solenoid valve 201 to keep the thermocouple solenoid valve 201 open. Thereby, the pilot burner 202
The gas supply to is maintained, and the pilot flame combustion is continued. Further, the flame display switches from blinking to lighting upon detecting this electromotive force. The user sets the main switch 6 by turning the appliance plug knob 210 to the “drive” position after the flame display is turned on.
4 is maintained. After the user adjusts the appliance plug knob 210 to the “drive” position in this way, even if the appliance plug knob 210 is released, the thermocouple electromagnetic valve 201 is excited by the electromotive force from the thermocouple 213 to open. So that the pilot fire continues.

Next, the operation when starting the hot water supply operation is shown in FIG.
It will be described based on. When the water flow switch 223 provided in the middle of the water supply path detects water flow (Step S501;
Y) First, the hot water supply display is turned on (step S50).
2). Subsequently, a current is supplied to the hot-water supply gas electromagnetic valve 206 to turn on the suction ON and the holding ON (step S503).

At the same time, the appliance use stop reference value is set to 2.2 V for medium load, and the output voltage of the battery 50 becomes 2.
If the voltage is not 2 V or more (step S504; N), the display of the battery replacement is turned on (step S505), and an error code indicating that the subsequent operation cannot be continued due to battery exhaustion is displayed on a display unit (not shown). Yes (Step S50)
6). In addition, the excitation of the hot water supply gas solenoid valve 206 for the attraction and the excitation for the holding are both stopped (step S507). afterwards,
When the user removes the instrument plug knob 210 and turns off the main switch 64 (step S508), a series of operations is terminated by running out of the battery.

On the other hand, when the output voltage of the battery 50 is equal to or higher than the appliance use stop reference value of 2.2 V at the time of medium load (step S504; Y), the output voltage is the reference value of the battery replacement sign at the time of medium load. . 4V (step S509). Here, when the output voltage of the battery 50 is not higher than 2.4 V (step S509; N), the display of the battery replacement blinks (step S510).
When the output voltage of the battery 50 is 2.4 V or more (step S509; Y), the excitation for adsorption of the hot water gas solenoid valve 206 is turned off without blinking the display of battery replacement (step S511), and the hot water supply operation is performed. Is continued until the operation is completed (step S512).

The end of the hot water supply operation is detected by the water flow switch 223. When the hot water supply operation is completed (step S5)
12; Y), the excitation for holding the hot water supply gas solenoid valve 206 is turned off (step S513), the hot water display is turned off (step S514), and a series of hot water supply operations ends.

FIG. 8 shows the operation during the filling operation. When an instruction for a filling operation is input from an operation unit (not shown), the filling display and the filling flow display are turned on (step S601). Subsequently, the pouring solenoid valve 222 is excited to set the pouring solenoid valve 222 to the open state (step S60).
2). The pouring solenoid valve 222 allows a large current to flow when the valve is opened.
The structure requires little power.

When the pouring solenoid valve 222 is opened, the appliance use stop reference value is set to 2.2 V for medium load, and the battery 50
When the output voltage is not 2.2 V or more (step S60).
3; N), the display for battery replacement is turned on (step S60).
4) An error code indicating that subsequent operations cannot be continued due to battery exhaustion is displayed on a display unit (not shown) (step S617), and the pouring solenoid valve 222 is closed (step S618). . Then, the user confirms the error code, releases the device stopper knob 210, and turns off the main switch 64 (step S61).
9), a series of hot water filling operation ends when the battery runs out.

On the other hand, when the output voltage of the battery 50 is equal to or higher than the appliance use stop reference value of 2.2 V at the time of medium load (step S603; Y), the output voltage is the battery exchange sign reference value of 2 at the time of medium load. . 4V (step S604). Here, if the output voltage of the battery 50 is not higher than 2.4 V (step S604; N), the display of the battery replacement blinks (step S605),
When the output voltage of the battery 50 is 2.4 V or more (step S604; Y), the presence / absence of water flow is confirmed by the water flow switch 223 without blinking the display of battery replacement (step S606).

If water flow is not confirmed even when the pouring solenoid valve 222 is opened (step S606; N), an error code is displayed (step S617) because some abnormality has occurred, and the pouring solenoid valve 222 is displayed. (Step S6)
18).

When the passage of water is confirmed (step S6)
06; Y), a current is supplied to the hot water supply gas solenoid valve 206 to turn on the suction and the holding on (step S607).
At the same time, the appliance use stop reference value is set to 2.2 V for medium load, and the output voltage of the battery 50 is compared with this reference value. When the output voltage of the battery 50 is not equal to or higher than 2.2 V (Step S608; N), the display of the battery replacement is turned on (Step S615), and the suction and holding of the hot water gas solenoid valve 206 are turned off (Step S616). An error code indicating that the subsequent operation cannot be continued due to running out is displayed (step S617).
2 is closed (step S618). As a result, the filling operation ends when the battery runs out.

On the other hand, when the output voltage of the battery 50 is equal to or higher than the appliance use stop reference value of 2.2 V at the time of medium load (step S608; Y), the output voltage is the battery exchange sign reference value of 2 at the time of medium load. . 4 V (step S609). Here, when the output voltage of the battery 50 is not higher than 2.4 V (step S609; N), the display of the battery replacement is blinked (step S610),
When the output voltage of the battery 50 is 2.4 V or more (step S609; Y), the excitation for adsorption of the hot water gas solenoid valve 206 is turned off without blinking the display of battery replacement (step S611), The combustion is continued until the tensioning operation is completed (Step S612).

When the filling operation to the predetermined water level is completed (step S612; Y), the hot water supply gas solenoid valve 206
Is turned off, the pouring solenoid valve 222 is closed, the filling display and the filling flow rate display are turned off (step S613), and the series of filling is normally terminated.

FIG. 9 shows a flow of the operation to be learned.
When the switch of the operation unit (not shown) is turned on (step S701), first, the display of the word is turned on (step S702). Subsequently, a current is applied to the bath gas solenoid valve 205 to turn on the suction and the holding state (step S703). At the same time, the appliance use stop reference value is set to 2.2 V for a medium load, and this value is compared with the output voltage of the battery 50.

When the output voltage of the battery 50 is not 2.2 V or more (step S704; N), the display of the battery replacement is turned on (step S711), and the subsequent operation is continued on the display unit (not shown) because the battery runs out. An error code indicating that it is not possible is displayed (step S712). Further, the excitation for holding and the excitation for holding the bath gas solenoid valve 205 are both stopped (step S713). Thereafter, when the user removes the appliance plug knob 210 and turns off the main switch 64 (step S714), a series of evacuating operations ends when the battery runs out.

On the other hand, when the output voltage of the battery 50 is 2.2 V or more, which is the reference value for stopping the use of the appliance at the time of medium load (step S704; Y), the output voltage is the reference value of the battery replacement sign at the time of medium load. .4V (step S705). Here, when the output voltage of the battery 50 is not higher than 2.4 V (step S705; N), the display of the battery replacement is blinked (step S706),
When the output voltage of the battery 50 is equal to or higher than 2.4 V (step S705; Y), the excitation for adsorbing the bath gas solenoid valve 205 is turned off without blinking the display of the battery replacement (step S707). The combustion is continued until the operation is completed (step S708).

When the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 300 rises to the set temperature and the end timing of the operation is reached (step S708; Y), the excitation for holding the bath gas solenoid valve 205 is turned off (step S709), and the information is displayed. Is turned off (step S710), and a series of eavesdropping operations are normally terminated.

In the above-described operation, the appliance use stop reference value and the battery replacement sign reference value are changed according to only the magnitude of the load. However, in practice, each reference value including the battery type and the battery temperature is changed. Is done. In particular, the temperature of the battery loaded in the balance type bath kettle 200 installed in the bathroom may be such that the bathroom may cool down and the ambient temperature of the battery rises due to the ignition of the burner. Become.

By the way, the reference value changing means 20 of the battery consumption degree judging device 10 mounted on the balance type bath kettle 200
The battery temperature is not determined based on the detected value of the battery thermistor 13 itself, but is determined in consideration of the time from the start of combustion. When combustion is started in the balanced bath kettle 200, the ambient temperature of the battery 50 rises relatively quickly, but the temperature inside the battery rises more slowly than the ambient temperature. The battery thermistor 13 is placed in a battery box and monitors the ambient temperature of the battery. Therefore, the temperature detected by the battery thermistor 13 does not match the temperature inside the battery during a short period of time after the start of combustion.

Therefore, even if the temperature detected by the battery thermistor 13 rises sharply, it is assumed that the temperature inside the battery has not sufficiently risen for a predetermined time after the start of combustion. That is, each reference value is set low similarly to the case where the temperature is still low. Then, after the combustion time becomes longer, the temperature inside the battery and the battery thermistor 13 are increased.
And the reference value is increased according to the temperature detected by the battery thermistor 13. Note that, without providing the battery thermistor 13, the battery temperature may be estimated and the reference value may be changed according to only the length of time during which the combustion is performed.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the battery consumption degree determination device 10b according to the second embodiment, instead of comparing the output voltage itself of the battery 50 with the reference value, the difference between the output voltage of the battery 50 in two states where different loads are connected is shown. Size (voltage difference)
Is converted into a degree of battery consumption (remaining capacity) to determine a replacement time and the like. Also, a reference value (specifically, a conversion table or the like) used when converting the voltage difference into the degree of battery consumption is changed according to the magnitude of the load, the type of battery, the temperature of the battery, and the like.

FIG. 10 shows a circuit configuration of a battery consumption degree judging device 10b according to the second embodiment. The same portions as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In the battery consumption degree determination device 10b, the battery 5 in a state where loads of different magnitudes are connected.
A voltage difference acquisition unit 14 for acquiring a difference (voltage difference) between output voltages of 0, a conversion unit 15 for converting the voltage difference acquired by the voltage difference acquisition unit 14 into a degree of battery consumption, and a conversion unit 15. Determining means 16 for determining whether or not a warning display of battery replacement should be performed in accordance with the consumed level of the battery.

FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the operating time of the manganese battery and the output voltage for light load, medium load, and heavy load, respectively. As shown in the figure, the voltage difference between the output voltage 801 under a light load, the output voltage 802 under a medium load, and the output voltage 803 under a large load gradually increases as the battery usage time increases.

Therefore, it is possible to determine the degree of consumption of the battery based on the magnitude of the difference (voltage difference) between the output voltages of the battery 50 in the two states where loads of different magnitudes are connected. However, even if the usage time is the same,
The voltage difference 810 between the light load and the medium load and the voltage difference 811 between the light load and the large load greatly differ. For this reason, under the condition that the magnitude of the load fluctuates to two or more types, it is necessary to convert the voltage difference into the degree of battery consumption in consideration of the magnitude of the load.

Therefore, in the battery consumption level determining apparatus 10b according to the second embodiment, a reference value (a coefficient of a conversion table or an operation formula for conversion) used for converting a voltage difference into a battery consumption level is determined. The change is made according to the magnitude of the load when the voltage difference is measured (the difference may be the magnitude of the load in two load states where the output voltage is measured). Of course, the change may be made according to not only the difference between the two loads but also the difference between the three or more loads.

When converting the voltage difference into the degree of consumption of the battery, the reference value of the conversion table or the like is changed in consideration of the type of the battery and the temperature of the battery in the same manner as shown in FIG. It has become.

As described above, the reference value for converting the voltage difference between the output voltages of the battery 50 measured under different load conditions into the degree of battery consumption is changed according to the magnitude of the load and the like. Even when the voltage difference is measured under conditions and temperature conditions, the conversion from the voltage difference to the degree of battery consumption can be accurately performed.

In each of the embodiments described above, the magnitude of each load is known, and the magnitude of the load currently connected to the battery is determined based on the operation state of the device. When the output voltage of the battery is measured, the magnitude of the load may be measured each time. Further, in the embodiment, there is no lighter load state than the light load. However, when a driving power supply for the battery consumption degree judging device 10 is provided separately, the output voltage of the battery 50 in the no-load state is also reduced. It can be included in the degree determination target.

In addition, how to change the reference values according to the load state and the type of battery, for example, the reference values shown in the embodiment should be lowered as the load increases. This is an exemplification for representing the perception, and each value is not limited to these exemplifications. In the embodiment, the type of the battery is determined when the battery is replaced. However, the type of the battery may be determined at any time when the remaining capacity of the battery is equal to or more than a certain value. That is, the remaining capacity of the battery only needs to be in an area where the magnitude of the difference in the output voltage depending on the magnitude of the load changes to such an extent that the type of the battery can be determined.

[0101]

According to the battery consumption level determining apparatus of the present invention, the reference value used for determining the battery consumption level is determined according to the size of the load connected to the battery, the type of the battery, or the temperature of the battery. Therefore, even if the size of the load, the type of the battery, or the temperature of the battery fluctuates, the degree of consumption of the battery can be accurately determined regardless of the variation. as a result,
Prompt for battery replacement at the right time without the battery replacement sign appearing, suddenly making the device inoperable, or the battery replacement sign not appearing despite sufficient remaining capacity be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a battery consumption level determination device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a battery usage time and a battery output voltage for a manganese battery and an alkaline battery for light load and heavy load.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation performed by the battery consumption level determination device according to the first embodiment of the present invention when determining the battery consumption level.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an installation state of a balanced bath kettle to which the battery consumption degree determining device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of a balanced bath kettle to which the battery consumption degree determining device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of a battery consumption degree determination process performed by a balanced bath cooker to which a battery consumption degree determination device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied at the time of pilot ignition.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow when a balanced bath kettle to which the battery consumption degree determining device according to the first embodiment of the present invention performs a hot water supply operation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow when a balanced bath kettle to which a battery level determining device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied performs a hot water filling operation.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow when the balance type bath kettle to which the battery consumption degree determining apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention performs an evacuation operation.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a battery consumption level determination device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a usage time of a manganese battery and an output voltage at a light load, a medium load, and a large load.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Battery consumption degree determination apparatus 11 ... Voltage measurement means 12 ... Determination means 13 ... Battery thermistor 14 ... Voltage difference acquisition means 15 ... Conversion means 16 ... Determination means 20 ... Reference value change means 21 ... Reference value storage part 30 ... Battery Type determination storage means 31 Battery replacement presence / absence determination section 40 Battery consumption level display section 50 Battery 60 Load switching sections 61 and 62 Load 63 Load switching signal 64 Main switch 200 Balanced bath pot 201 Thermocouple Solenoid valve 202 ... pilot burner 203 ... bath main burner 204 ... hot water supply main burner 205 ... bath gas solenoid valve 206 ... hot water supply gas solenoid valve 210 ... instrument plug knob 211 ... igniter electrode 212 ... frame rod electrode 213 ... thermocouple 214 ... IG transformer (igniter) Transformer) 220: Heat exchanger for hot water supply 221: Bath heat exchanger 222 ... pouring solenoid valve 223 ... water flow switch 300 ... bathtub

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Susumu Susumikita 3-4 Fukamidai, Yamato-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Gaster Co., Ltd. 72) Inventor Motoi Kanzaki 3--4 Fukamidai, Yamato-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the Gaster Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasunori Kono 3--4 Fukamidai, Yamato-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Gaster Co., Ltd. 3-4 Fukamidai, Yamato-shi, Japan Inside Gaster Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kikuo Okamoto 3-4 Fukamidai, Yamato-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Gaster Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Seiichi Mori 3-chome Fukamidai, Yamato-shi, Kanagawa No. 4 Inside Gaster Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takeo Yamaguchi 3-chome Fukamidai, Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture Address stock company Gaster in the (72) inventor Naoki Obayashi Yamato-shi, Kanagawa Fukamidai 3-chome address 4 stock company Gaster in the F-term (reference) 2G016 CA00 CB12 CC02 CC04 CC06 CC12 CC13 CC27 CC28 CE00 5H030 AA08 AS11 FF22 FF44 FF51 FF52

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A battery consumption level determining apparatus for determining a battery consumption level, comprising: a voltage measuring means for measuring an output voltage of a battery; and a voltage value detected by the voltage measuring means and a predetermined reference value. Determining means for determining the degree of consumption of the battery, and reference value changing means for changing the reference value, wherein the reference value changing means sets the reference value in accordance with a magnitude of a load connected to the battery. A battery consumption degree determination device characterized by being changed. 2. A battery consumption level determining device for determining a battery consumption level, comprising: a voltage measuring means for measuring an output voltage of the battery; and an output voltage of the battery in at least two states where the magnitudes of connected loads are different. Voltage difference obtaining means for obtaining a voltage difference between
A conversion unit that converts the voltage difference acquired by the voltage difference acquisition unit into a value indicating the degree of battery consumption; and a reference value used when the conversion unit converts the voltage difference into a value indicating the degree of battery consumption. And a reference value changing means for changing the reference value according to the magnitude of a connected load. 3. A method for determining the voltage difference between the output voltages of the batteries in at least two states where the magnitudes of the connected loads are different when the remaining capacity of the batteries is equal to or greater than a predetermined value or when the batteries are replaced. Storage means for storing a value representing the correspondence between the difference and the magnitude of the load connected when the difference is obtained, wherein the reference value changing means is configured to store the reference value based on the value stored in the storage means. 3. The battery consumption level determination device according to claim 1, wherein 4. A temperature detecting device for detecting a temperature of the battery, wherein the reference value changing device changes the reference value according to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting device. The battery consumption degree determination device according to claim 1, 2 or 3. 5. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the battery is placed in an environment where the temperature is increased by heat generated by a predetermined heating device, and the reference value changing unit determines a time period during which the heating operation by the heating device is performed. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference value is changed according to a length of the battery. 6. A load connected to the battery is a predetermined load, and the reference value changing means determines the reference value according to which load among the predetermined loads is connected to the battery. The battery consumption level determination device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein the value is changed.