JP2001157375A - Device and method of controlling battery charge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To charge a secondary battery by automatically shifting the temperature of the battery within a range where the battery can be charged even if it is under an environment out of the range where the battery can be charged when the secondary battery provided on a power supply part of an electronic device such as an ink-jet recording device. SOLUTION: This device comprises a temperature detecting element 305 for detecting the internal temperature of the secondary battery 203, and a temperature control element 306 for controlling the temperature of the second battery 203. When the indication of charging the secondary battery 203 is transferred from an MPU 102 where the secondary battery 203 is disposed, the temperature of the second battery 203 is detected by the temperature detecting element 305. When the temperature is out of the range where the prescribed charging can be started, the temperature of the secondary battery 203 is shifted within the range where the charging can be started by the temperature control element 306 for charging.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a charge control device and a charge control method for charging a rechargeable battery such as a secondary battery.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a portable electronic device or the like, a secondary battery that can be repeatedly used by being charged is mounted in the device so that the device can be driven by a battery as well as a commercial power supply. Also, in an image recording apparatus or the like that records an image on a recording material in accordance with image data transferred from a host computer, the size and weight can be reduced, and the apparatus can be driven by a battery as well as a commercial power supply. It is becoming.

[0003] Such a secondary battery is charged by a charging circuit or a dedicated charger provided in a device such as an image recording device. Also,
The start and stop of charging in a charging circuit provided in the device are performed by controlling a switching circuit provided in the charging device for starting or stopping charging.

When the battery is overcharged, it not only deteriorates its performance but also may generate a dangerous state due to heat generation. Therefore, a temperature detecting means such as a thermistor is provided inside the battery to charge the battery during charging. In general, the battery is configured to monitor the internal temperature of the battery and stop charging when the internal temperature of the battery becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.

[0005] In recent years, in addition to the above control, there is an apparatus to which a control of performing charging only within a predetermined temperature range has been added in order to sufficiently exhibit performance such as battery life.

[0006]

In general, portable electronic devices can be used in any environment. However, the above-mentioned conventional devices are used in a low-temperature environment or a high-temperature environment. In this case, if the temperature is outside the predetermined range, charging cannot be started, and the user must wait for a while or move to another appropriate temperature environment. This has hindered the user's convenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and automatically changes the temperature of a battery to a chargeable temperature under any temperature environment at the start of charging to perform charging. An object of the present invention is to provide a battery charge control device and a charge control method that can be started and can improve user convenience.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A battery charge control device and a charge control method according to the present invention are configured as follows.

(1) Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the battery, temperature controlling means for controlling the temperature of the battery, and controlling whether or not to start charging the battery according to the detection result of the temperature detecting means. Control means, and when the detection result of the temperature detection means is out of the predetermined charge start temperature range, after the temperature control means is operated to shift the battery temperature to within the predetermined charge start temperature range. The charging of the battery was started.

(2) In the configuration of the above (1), the temperature control means has a heat generating means, and when the detection result of the temperature detecting means is equal to or lower than the charging start temperature, the temperature of the battery is reduced to within the charging start temperature range. I tried to raise it.

(3) In the configuration of the above (1) or (2), the temperature control means has a cooling means, and when the detection result of the temperature detection means is equal to or higher than the charging start temperature, the temperature control means extends to within the charging start temperature range. The temperature of the battery was lowered.

(4) In any one of the constitutions (1) to (3), the temperature control means is provided inside the battery unit.

(5) In any one of the above constitutions (1) to (4), the temperature control means is provided in an electronic device operated by a battery.

(6) In any one of the above constitutions (1) to (5), the control means is provided in an electronic device operated by a battery.

(7) In the configuration of (5) or (6), the electronic device is an image recording device.

(8) In the configuration of the above (7), the image recording apparatus is an ink jet recording apparatus.

(9) When the battery temperature is detected and the battery temperature is out of the predetermined charging start temperature range as a result of the detection,
Charging is started after the temperature of the battery has been controlled and the temperature of the battery has shifted to within the predetermined charging start temperature.

(10) In the configuration of (9), when the temperature of the battery is equal to or lower than the charging start temperature, the temperature of the battery is raised by the heat generating means to within the charging start temperature range.

(11) In the configuration of (9) or (10), when the temperature of the battery is equal to or higher than the charging start temperature, the temperature of the battery is lowered by the cooling means to within the charging start temperature range.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of an image recording apparatus which is an example of an electronic apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. In this example, ink jet recording is performed in which a recording image is formed by discharging ink by heat energy. 1 shows a configuration of an apparatus.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a programmable
Peripheral interface (PPI)
And receives command signals (commands) and recording information signals sent from a host computer (not shown) in parallel to
In addition to the transfer to the PU 102, control of the console 103 and input processing of the home position sensor 104 for detecting the home position of the carriage are performed. An MPU (microprocessor unit) 102 controls each unit in the printing apparatus. The console 103 is provided with a keyboard switch, a display lamp, and the like. A home position sensor 104 for the carriage is provided near the home position of the carriage, and detects that the carriage on which the recording head 111 is mounted has reached the home position. Detect.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a RAM for storing the received signal, reference numeral 106 denotes a font generating ROM for outputting images of characters and symbols, and reference numeral 107 denotes a control ROM in which processing procedures executed by the MPU 102 are stored. Are connected to an MP via an address bus 108 and a data bus 109.
It is connected to U102 and is controlled by a control signal from MPU102, respectively.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a carriage motor for moving the above-described carriage on which the recording head 111 is mounted, and 1.
Reference numeral 12 denotes a paper feed motor for conveying the recording material in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the carriage.
This is a recovery motor that performs a discharge recovery process for controlling one ink discharge port (not shown) to a state suitable for printing.

Reference numeral 114 denotes a driver for driving the carriage motor 110, 115 denotes a driver for driving the paper feed motor 112, and 116 denotes a driver for driving the recovery motor 113.

Reference numeral 117 denotes a sheet sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a recording material such as recording paper, that is, whether or not the recording material has been supplied to the recording unit. The recording head 111 changes its state into ink using the above-mentioned thermal energy. The recording head 111 is an ink jet recording head that discharges ink by causing ink jetting. The recording head 111 has discharge ports (not shown),
An ejection heater (not shown) and the like are provided. 118
Is a driver for driving the ejection heater of the print head 111 based on the received print information signal.

It is to be noted that Sc is a charge control signal, and a charge device 206 described later is controlled by this signal Sc.

In the above configuration, MPU 102
It is connected to a host device such as an external computer via I101, receives a command and a recording information signal (print data) sent from the host device, and
5, and a recording operation is performed. These processes are executed by a control program stored in the control ROM 107.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the power supply unit 201 of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numerals 202 and 203 denote drive power supplies for the ink jet recording apparatus. Reference numeral 202 denotes an AC-DC conversion circuit that obtains a DC output from an AC input by using an AC adapter. Is a rechargeable secondary battery.

Reference numeral 204 denotes a power supply switching circuit for selecting one of the two drive power supplies, for example, an analog switch or a power jack. The switching circuit 204 is connected to the contact (1) when the AC power supply is used and when the secondary battery 203 is charged, and is connected to the contact (2) when the secondary battery 203 is driven.

Reference numeral 205 denotes a DC-DC for supplying a DC output from a driving power supply to each unit in the ink jet recording apparatus.
It is a conversion circuit and outputs + 5V for control, motor voltage, head voltage, and the like. Reference numeral 206 denotes a charging device for charging the secondary battery 203. The charging operation is controlled by MP.
It is controlled by the above-described charging control signal Sc input / output from the input / output port of U102.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of charging device 206 of FIG.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a charging circuit.
The charging of the secondary battery 203 is controlled. Secondary battery 203
Various charging methods are known, such as a constant voltage method of applying a constant voltage to the battery 203, a constant current method of applying a constant current, and a constant voltage-constant current method combining both.

Reference numeral 302 denotes a switching circuit for determining whether or not to start charging and controlling the charging. A charging circuit 301 is provided by a signal from the MPU 102 based on detection results of a temperature detection circuit 303 and a battery voltage detection circuit 304, which will be described later.
Is a circuit (control means) for turning ON / OFF. The internal temperature of the secondary battery 203 is output as an analog value via a temperature detection circuit 303, and the value is received by an A / D conversion port of the MPU 102, whereby the internal temperature of the battery 203 is detected and the battery is charged based on the detected value. , Or whether to stop charging during charging or the like.

Reference numeral 304 denotes a battery voltage detection circuit for detecting the voltage of the battery 203. The circuit 304 outputs the voltage of the battery 203 as an analog value, and outputs the analog value to the MPU 10.
The voltage of the battery 203 is detected by receiving the signal at the A / D conversion port 2. The battery voltage is detected through the circuit 304 to determine whether or not the battery is fully charged, whether or not the battery needs to be charged, and the like.

Reference numeral 305 denotes a temperature detecting element (temperature detecting means) provided inside the secondary battery 203 for detecting the internal temperature of the battery 203. For example, a thermistor whose resistance value changes depending on the temperature is used. Reference numeral 306 denotes a temperature control element (temperature control means) provided inside the secondary battery 203, which is turned ON / OF by a signal from the MPU 102.
F, the temperature of the inside of the battery 203 is controlled.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control operation during charging according to this embodiment. Note that this control process is executed by the MPU 102, and the control program is stored in the control ROM 207. The operation of this flowchart is as follows.
It is started by activating the control program stored in 07.

As a method of charging the secondary battery 203, a method in which the ink jet recording apparatus is set to a charging-only mode, and a method in which the secondary battery 203 is operated while operating as a normal recording apparatus, is 1/100 of the battery capacity. There is a method of gradually charging (trickle charging) by applying a very small current of about 50, but the present invention is not limited to either method.

First, in step S101, when a predetermined charging timing (charging permission) occurs, for example, a charging instruction for the secondary battery 203 is input by an input of a key switch or the like of the console 103, which is a charging instruction means, in step S10.
In step 2, the voltage of the secondary battery 203 is detected at the input port (A / D port) of the MPU 102 through the battery voltage detection circuit 304.

At this time, if the full charge voltage cannot be detected, the temperature detecting element 30 inside the battery is determined in step S103.
5. The internal temperature of the battery 203 is detected at the input port (A / D port) of the MPU 102 via the temperature detection circuit 303, and at step S104 the charge start temperature (for example, 0 ° C.)
In this case, the power supply switching circuit 204 is connected to the contact (1) in step S105, the output port of the MPU 102 is set to a high level (H), and the switching circuit 302 is turned on. 2 from charging circuit 304
A charging current flows to the next battery 203 to start charging.

During the charging, the internal temperature of the battery 203 is continuously detected in step S106, and when the full charge is detected based on the battery voltage, the internal temperature change of the battery 203 or the time in step S107, the charging is normally completed. In step S108, the signal output from the output port of the MPU 102 is set to a low level (L), and the switching circuit 302 is turned off.
4 and the charging control is normally terminated.

If a temperature outside the predetermined range (for example, 0 ° C. to 60 ° C.) is detected in step S106, an error state is determined in step S109, and the charging circuit 304 is stopped by the above-described procedure. Stop charging.

If it is determined in step S104 that the temperature is outside the chargeable temperature range (for example, -5.degree. C.), step S110 is executed.
The difference ΔT between the internal temperature of the battery 203 and the charging start boundary temperature closest to the detected temperature is detected (if the current detected temperature is −5 ° C. in the above example, ΔT = | −5−0 | =
5) Control ROM in advance according to the detected value
The driving time of the temperature control element 306 provided in the battery 203 is determined from the table provided in the battery 107 (for example, one minute), and driven in step S111.

When the driving for a predetermined time is completed, the process returns to step S103, where the internal temperature of the battery 203 is detected again. If the temperature is a temperature at which charging can be started, the process proceeds to step S105. repeat.

Here, the temperature control element 306 is not specified, but may be any element that raises the temperature.
For example, a resistor may be provided in the battery unit, heat may be generated by flowing an electric current, and the temperature may be increased.

With such a control structure, if a temperature outside the temperature range where charging can be started is detected conventionally, charging is not started until the temperature returns to the temperature range where charging can be started under a natural environment. However, by implementing this control, regardless of the environment, at the timing of charging and if the battery is not fully charged, it automatically shifts to an environment suitable for charging and then starts charging. Can be improved.

In the above embodiment, the temperature control element 306 is provided inside the battery 203.
Battery 2 if it can control the temperature inside
03 may be provided in an electronic device (in this example, an ink jet recording apparatus) operable.

For example, a control structure in which heat is generated by energizing a motor or the like to increase the internal temperature of the battery 203 may be used. Even in such control, the flow of the control operation can be shown in the flowchart of FIG. Of course, the temperature control element 306 may be provided in both the inside of the battery 203 and the electronic device for control.

If the table does not have a table of the driving time of the temperature control element 306 corresponding to ΔT in step S110, “N” in step S104.
In the case of "O", step S110 is skipped and step S1
11, the temperature control element 306 may be driven for a predetermined time (for example, 10 ms).

In the above embodiment, the case where the internal temperature of the battery 203 is detected to be equal to or lower than the chargeable temperature is described. It is. In this case, a cooling unit is further provided to lower the temperature of the secondary battery 203 within the chargeable temperature range.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Temperature detection means for detecting the temperature, temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the battery, and control means for controlling whether or not to start charging in accordance with the detection result of the temperature detection means, wherein the temperature detection result is a predetermined value. When it is detected that the temperature is outside the charging start temperature range, the temperature control unit is operated to start charging after the battery temperature shifts to within the charging start temperature range. In some cases, the temperature of the battery can be automatically shifted to a temperature at which the battery can be charged even under any temperature environment, so that the convenience for the user can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus as an example of an electronic apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a power supply unit of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the charging device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation during charging according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 102 MPU 103 Console (instruction means) 107 Control ROM 111 Recording head 201 Power supply unit 203 Secondary battery 206 Charging device 301 Charging circuit 302 Switching circuit (Control means) 303 Temperature detection circuit 304 Battery voltage detection circuit 305 Temperature detection element (Temperature) Detection means) 306 Temperature control element (Temperature control means)

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. Temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of a battery;
Temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the battery; and control means for controlling whether or not to start charging the battery according to the detection result of the temperature detection means, wherein the detection result of the temperature detection means is a predetermined charge. When the temperature is outside the start temperature range, the battery control unit starts operating the temperature control means to start charging the battery after the temperature of the battery shifts within the predetermined charge start temperature range. . 2. The temperature control means has a heat generating means, and raises the temperature of the battery to within a charging start temperature range when a detection result of the temperature detecting means is lower than a charging start temperature. 2. A battery charge control device according to claim 1. 3. The temperature control means has a cooling means, and lowers the temperature of the battery to within a charging start temperature range when a detection result of the temperature detecting means is equal to or higher than a charging start temperature. 3. The battery charge control device according to 1 or 2. 4. The battery charge control device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature control means is provided inside the battery unit. 5. The battery charge control device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature control means is provided in an electronic device operated by the battery. 6. The battery charge control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means is provided in an electronic device operated by the battery. 7. The battery charging control device according to claim 5, wherein the electronic device is an image recording device. 8. The battery charge control device according to claim 7, wherein the image recording device is an ink jet recording device. 9. When the temperature of the battery is detected and the battery temperature is out of a predetermined charging start temperature range, the battery temperature is controlled so that the temperature of the battery falls within the predetermined charging start temperature. A method of controlling charging of a battery, characterized in that charging is started after shifting to (c). 10. The battery according to claim 9, wherein when the temperature of the battery is equal to or lower than the charging start temperature, the temperature of the battery is raised by the heat generating means within the charging start temperature range.
A method for controlling charging of a battery according to the above. 11. The battery according to claim 9, wherein when the temperature of the battery is equal to or higher than the charging start temperature, the temperature of the battery is lowered by the cooling means to within the charging start temperature range.
Or the charging control method for a battery according to 10.