JP2004024457A - Charging device and charging type vacuum cleaner using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charging device for surely charging all of a plurality of cell packs to the full in a short time and a charging type vacuum cleaner using the same. <P>SOLUTION: This charging device includes: a plurality of charging circuits 11, 18 for charging a plurality of cell packs 4, 5 respectively provided in a body 1; charging paths 16, 17 connecting the cell packs 4, 5 and the charging circuits 11, 18 to each other; and charging circuit communicating means 12, 19 connecting the plurality of charging circuits 11, 18 to each other. The plurality of charging circuits 11, 18 are charging devices capable of transmitting and receiving information on the cell packs 4, 5 obtained via the charging paths 16, 17 through the charging circuit communicating means 12, 19, and surely fully charging the plurality of cell packs 4, 5 in the body 1 in a short time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention particularly relates to a charging device for charging a main body using a battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery that performs charging control as a power supply source, and a rechargeable vacuum cleaner using the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, cleaning robots, which are a type of rechargeable vacuum cleaner, have been developed with built-in rechargeable batteries. There is a demand for a capacity battery and a charging device capable of rapidly charging a battery because of the desire to use it immediately when needed.
[0003]
Batteries that exhibit the highest performance and capacity are expensive, so we will use batteries that are widely used in the market and are affordable due to mass production effects, but in that case, ensure continuous operation for a long time Generally, the number of batteries is increased as a measure.
[0004]
As a method of increasing the number of batteries, there are a method of configuring a battery pack by connecting all the batteries in series and a method of connecting a certain number of battery packs connected in series. Therefore, there is a problem of durability and reliability due to the above, and the latter connection method is generally selected.
[0005]
A charging device for a vacuum cleaner in which battery packs are connected in parallel will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram. Reference numeral 10 denotes a charging device that includes a first charging circuit 11 and a second charging circuit 18 and is supplied with electric power by commercial electric power 9. The connecting device 8 connects the charging device 10 to the cleaning robot main body 1. Reference numeral 16 denotes a first charging path in which the first charging circuit 11 charges the first battery pack 4 in the cleaning robot main body 1 and detects information of the first temperature detecting means 6 closely attached to the first battery pack 4. Is a second charging path through which the second charging circuit 18 charges the second battery pack 5 in the cleaning robot main body 1 and detects information from the second temperature detecting means 7 which is disposed in close contact with the second battery pack 5. Reference numeral 21 denotes a switch provided on each of the first charging path 16 and the second charging path 17, based on information from the first temperature detecting means 6 and the second temperature detecting means 7, respectively. If the temperatures detected by the detecting means 6 and the second temperature detecting means 7 are lower than a predetermined value, the switch 21 is closed to start charging the first battery pack 4 and the second battery pack 5.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-mentioned conventional charging device, each charging device detects only the state of each battery pack to be charged and starts charging, that is, the temperature information of the first battery pack 4 detected by the so-called first temperature detecting means 6 and Since the temperature information of the second battery pack 5 detected by the second temperature detecting means 7 cannot be mutually confirmed, the temperature rise accompanying the charging of one battery pack affects the temperature of the other battery pack and starts charging. In some cases, it becomes difficult to fully charge all of the plurality of battery packs in a short time. In particular, in the case of a nickel-metal hydride battery whose battery temperature is greatly increased by charging, the above-mentioned problem appears remarkably.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to provide a charging device capable of completely charging all of a plurality of battery packs in a short time and a rechargeable vacuum cleaner using the same. Is what you do.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of charging circuits for charging a plurality of battery packs provided in a main body, a charging path connecting the battery pack and the charging circuit to each other, and a plurality of charging circuits. A charging device that can transmit and receive information on the battery pack obtained through the charging path through the charging circuit communication means, wherein the plurality of charging circuits are connected in close proximity to each other in the main body. A plurality of battery packs mounted on the battery can be fully charged in a short time.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 includes a plurality of charging circuits respectively charging a plurality of battery packs provided in a main body, a charging path connecting the battery pack and the charging circuit to each other, and connecting the plurality of charging circuits to each other. A plurality of charging circuits, each of which is capable of transmitting and receiving information relating to a battery pack obtained through the charging path through the charging circuit communication means, such as a nickel-metal hydride battery; If it is required to start charging after waiting for the battery temperature suitable for the battery, it is possible to wait for charging while exchanging information between the charging circuits until all battery packs reach the temperature suitable for charging. Therefore, even if a plurality of battery packs are arranged in close proximity, the influence of charging between the battery packs on battery packs that have not yet been sufficiently cooled can be prevented. It is possible to realize a charging device capable of rapid charge all battery packs safe and short time. In addition, even if the number of battery packs is changed, the same charging circuit can be handled by simple addition or deletion, eliminating the need for development of a new charging device and the mass production effect of a single charging circuit. A highly reliable charging device can be provided in a short period of time.
[0010]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, at least the charging standby state, the rapid charging state, and the abnormal state in the charging operation are communicated by the charging circuit communication means, and a highly reliable charging device can be realized.
[0011]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, charging is started when all of the plurality of battery packs can be charged. For example, the charging is started after waiting for a battery temperature suitable for charging such as a nickel-metal hydride battery. Battery, it is possible to wait for charging while exchanging information between charging circuits until all battery packs reach a temperature suitable for charging.Therefore, a plurality of battery packs are arranged in close proximity. However, the heat generated by charging between battery packs can prevent the effects on battery packs that have not been sufficiently cooled yet, and provide a reliable charging device that can charge all battery packs safely and quickly in a short time at a low price. Can be provided.
[0012]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the charging circuit communication means is constituted by a serial communication circuit, the number of components constituting each communication circuit and the number of electric wires constituting each communication path can be reduced, so that highly reliable charging is achieved. The device can be realized.
[0013]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the charging circuit is provided with charging device display means for displaying a state of the charging operation, and it is possible to inform the user of the information of the charging control operation, thereby providing a user-friendly charging device. Can be realized.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 6 includes a main body communication path to which a control circuit in the main body can be connected to the charging circuit, and a main body display means provided in the main body, and the information in the charging circuit is transmitted to the main body through the main body communication path. The control means in the body receives the received information and displays the received information on the main body display means, so that it is possible to inform the user of the information of the charge control operation in an easy-to-understand manner, and to realize a user-friendly charging device. Can be.
[0015]
The invention according to claim 7 starts charging when all of the plurality of battery packs are chargeable, and displays that the plurality of battery packs are being charged, and provides a charge control operation to the user. Information can be notified, and an easy-to-use charging device can be realized.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 8 is for displaying that the charging is completed when all of the plurality of battery packs are in the charging completed state. For example, some of the battery packs are disconnected or the user or the maintenance service is performed. If the user forgets to mount the battery pack during maintenance of the device, the user can immediately recognize the battery pack, and it is possible to realize a charging device that can be used with peace of mind and can always exhibit the highest performance.
[0017]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rechargeable vacuum cleaner having the charging device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the rechargeable vacuum cleaner has a highly usable and reliable charging device. Can be provided.
[0018]
【Example】
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a charging device and a cleaning robot, which is a kind of a rechargeable vacuum cleaner, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 10 denotes a charging device having a first charging circuit 11 and a second charging circuit 18 built therein. Power is supplied by power 9. Reference numeral 13 denotes a charging unit via a main body communication path 15 which is a communication path between the first charging circuit 11 which is closed by connecting the charging device 10 to the cleaning robot main body 1 and the main body control means 2 in the cleaning robot main body 1. The main body communication means for transmitting the charge control operation information of the device 10 to a control circuit (microcomputer) which is the main body control means 2. The first charge circuit 11 is serially connected to the second charge circuit communication means 19 of the second charge circuit 18. A first charging circuit communication means for performing communication, 16 is a first temperature detecting means which the first charging circuit 11 charges the first battery pack 4 in the cleaning robot main body 1 and is closely attached to the first battery pack 4. A first charging path 17 for detecting the information of 6 is a second temperature detecting means which charges the second battery pack 5 in the cleaning robot main body 1 while the second charging circuit 18 is in close contact with the second battery pack 5. The second charging path for detecting the information 7 is a charging device display means 14 driven by the first charging device 11 to display charging control operation information of the charging device 10, and the third charging path 3 is controlled by the main body control means 2 in the cleaning robot main body 1. This is a main body display unit that displays the charging control operation information that is driven and transmitted by serial communication from the first charging circuit 11 in the charging device 10 through the main body communication path 15.
[0020]
Next, the operation based on the above configuration will be described with reference to the charging operation flowchart of the charging device and the cleaning robot shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, VB1, TH1, and C1 indicate the state of charge control operation of the first charging path 16 of the first charging circuit 11, where VB1 is the terminal voltage of the first battery pack 4, and TH1 is the voltage of the first battery pack 4. Temperature and C1 indicate the state of the charging current of the first charging circuit 11, VB2, TH2 and C2 indicate the charging control operation state of the second charging path 17 of the second charging circuit 18, and VB2 indicates the second battery. The terminal voltage of the pack 5, TH2 represents the temperature of the second battery pack 5, and C2 represents the state of the charging current of the second charging circuit 18. L indicates a change in the display information of the charging control operation state of the charging device display means 14 or the main body display means 3.
[0021]
The operation at T0 to T1 in FIG. 2 will be described.
[0022]
It is assumed that the charging device 10 is connected to the cleaning robot main body 1 having the two battery packs of the first battery pack 4 and the second battery pack 5 at the timing T0 in FIG. At this time, it is assumed that the second charging path 17 is not formed due to the malfunction of the connecting means 8. The first charging circuit 11 recognizes the connection with the first battery pack 4, performs serial communication with the second charging circuit communication means 19 of the second charging circuit 18 by the first charging circuit communication means 12, and Check the connection information. Therefore, when receiving the information indicating that the second battery pack is not connected from the second charging circuit 17, the first charging circuit 11 does not charge the first battery pack 4 and continues the standby state. Indicates that the battery pack is not connected ((1) in L in FIG. 2), and the information that the battery pack is not connected is transmitted from the main body communication means 13 to the main body control means 2 in a serial manner. The main body control means 2 receives the information and displays on the main body display means 2 that the battery pack is not connected ((1) in L in FIG. 2) to notify the user. That is, the standby state is continued without starting charging until both of the battery packs in the main body are connected to be chargeable.
[0023]
Next, the operation of T1 to T2 in FIG. 2 will be described.
[0024]
When the user notices that the connection of the charging device 10 is insufficient, and connects the connection means 8 at the timing of T1 so as to surely close the charging path, the second charging circuit 18 becomes the second charging circuit communication means 19. Transmits to the first charging circuit communication means 12 that the battery pack has been connected. The first charging circuit 11 detects that both the first battery pack 4 and the second battery pack 5 are connected to the charging device so as to be chargeable, and displays on the charging device display means 14 that charging preparation is in progress. While performing (2) of L in the timing chart 2, the main body communication unit 13 also serially transmits information that is preparing to start charging to the main body control unit 2. The main body control means 2 notifies the user by receiving the information and displaying on the main body display means 2 that preparation for charging is being prepared ((1) in L in FIG. 2).
[0025]
By the way, the first charging circuit 11 observes from the signal of the first temperature detecting means 6 whether or not the first battery pack 4 has a temperature suitable for starting charging. In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the temperature is equal to or lower than the charging start allowable maximum temperature TSt, and the charging standby state is continued until the first battery pack 4 becomes equal to or lower than TSt, and the first charging circuit is notified that the charging standby state is in effect. Serial transmission is performed from the communication unit 12 to the second charging circuit communication unit. At the same time, the second charging circuit 19 observes from the signal of the second temperature detecting means 7 whether or not the second battery pack 5 has a temperature suitable for starting charging. In this embodiment, since the temperature of the second battery pack 5 is equal to or lower than the maximum charging start allowable temperature TSt, information indicating that rapid charging is possible is transmitted from the second charging circuit communication means 19 to the first charging circuit communication means 12 in serial. The first charging circuit 11 is in a state where the second charging circuit 18, that is, the second battery pack 5 can be rapidly charged, but the first battery pack 4 needs to continue the charging standby state. Similarly, a serial transmission indicating that the charging standby state is to be continued is made at 18, a display indicating that the charging standby state is being made is displayed on the charging device display means 14 ((2) in L in FIG. 2), and the main body communication means 13 is also displayed. Serially transmits that the device is in the charging standby state. The main body control means 2 notifies the user by receiving the information and displaying on the main body display means 2 that the battery is in the charging standby state ((2) in L in FIG. 2).
[0026]
Further, the operation of T2 to T3 in FIG. 2 will be described.
[0027]
When the temperature of the first battery pack 4 drops and the first charging circuit 11 detects from the signal of the first temperature detecting means 6 that the temperature is equal to or lower than the TSt suitable for starting charging, the first charging circuit communication means 12 transmits the second charging circuit communication. The charging permission signal is serially transmitted to the means 19. Upon receiving the charge permission signal, the second charging circuit 18 starts the rapid charging of the second battery pack 5 and serially transmits information indicating that the rapid charging is being performed from the second charging circuit communication means 19 to the first charging circuit communication means 12. Send. Upon receiving the signal, the first charging circuit 11 starts the rapid charging of the first battery pack 4 and displays on the charging device display means 14 an indication that the rapid charging is being performed ((3) of L in FIG. 2). Then, the main body communication unit 13 serially transmits the fact that the battery is in the quick charge state. The main body control means 2 notifies the user by receiving the information and displaying on the main body display means 2 that the battery is in the quick charge state ((3) in L in FIG. 2).
[0028]
The operation of T3 to T4 in FIG. 2 will be described.
[0029]
When the first temperature detecting means 6 detects a temperature change (dT) indicating that the battery pack is fully charged, the first charging circuit 11 terminates the rapid charging of the first battery pack 4. On the other hand, since the second charging circuit 18 has not yet detected the dT, the charging of the second battery pack 5 is continued and the second charging circuit communication unit 19 is rapidly charging the first charging circuit communication unit 12. Information to the effect. Upon receiving the signal, the first charging circuit 11 displays on the charging device display means 14 that rapid charging is in progress ((3) in L in FIG. 2) and informs the main body control means that rapid charging is continuing. Continue sending the information.
[0030]
Further, the operation from T4 in FIG. 2 will be described.
[0031]
When the second temperature detecting means 7 detects a temperature change (dT) indicating that the battery pack is fully charged, the second charging circuit 18 terminates the rapid charging of the second battery pack 5, and terminates the second charging. Charging completion information is transmitted from the charging circuit transmission means 19 to the first charging circuit communication means 12. Since the first charging circuit 11 is already in the charging completed state, when receiving the signal, the first charging circuit 11 displays on the charging device display means 14 that rapid charging is completed ((4) in L in FIG. 2) and the main body control means 2 The information to the effect that quick charging is completed is transmitted to. Upon receiving the information, the main body control means 2 displays on the main body display means 3 that charging is completed. That is, both of the two battery packs are displayed after charging is completed.
[0032]
By the way, when the second charging circuit 18 detects that an abnormality has occurred in the battery pack due to a short circuit of the cells in the second battery pack 5 during the rapid charging, the rapid charging of the second battery pack 5 is stopped. At the same time, information indicating that an abnormality has occurred is transmitted from the second charging circuit communication unit 19 to the first charging circuit communication unit 12. When the first charging circuit 11 receives the information, the first charging circuit 11 stops the rapid charging of the battery pack 4, displays on the charging circuit display means 14 that the abnormality has occurred, and further informs the main body communication means 13 that the abnormality has occurred. Send information. Upon receiving the information, the main body control means 2 displays information indicating that an abnormality has occurred on the main body display means and causes the user to do so. That is, even if an abnormality occurs in any one of the battery packs, rapid charging of both battery packs is stopped to notify the user.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a charging device capable of completely charging all of a plurality of battery packs in a short time and a rechargeable vacuum cleaner using the same.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a charging device and a cleaning robot showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the charging operation. FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of a conventional charging device and a cleaning robot.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cleaning robot main body 2 Main body control means 3 Main body display means 4 First battery pack 5 Second battery pack 6 First temperature detecting means 7 Second temperature detecting means 8 Connecting means 9 Commercial power supply 10 Charging device 11 First charging circuit 12 1 charging circuit communication means 13 main body communication means 14 charging device display means 15 main body communication path 16 first charging path 17 second charging path 18 second charging circuit 19 second charging circuit communication means

Claims (9)

A plurality of charging circuits for charging a plurality of battery packs provided in the main body, a charging path connecting the battery pack and the charging circuit to each other, and charging circuit communication means connecting the plurality of charging circuits to each other are provided. A charging device capable of transmitting and receiving information on the battery pack obtained through the charging path through the charging circuit communication means; The charging device according to claim 1, wherein at least a charging standby state, a rapid charging state, and an abnormal state in the charging operation are communicated by the charging circuit communication unit. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein charging is started when all of the plurality of battery packs can be charged. The rechargeable vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the charging circuit communication means comprises a serial communication circuit. The rechargeable vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a charging device display means for displaying a state of the charging operation in the charging circuit. A main body communication path to which a control circuit in the main body can be connected to the charging circuit, and a main body display means provided in the main body, wherein information in the charging circuit is received by the control means in the main body via the main body communication path. The rechargeable vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the received information is displayed on the main body display means. The rechargeable vacuum cleaner according to claim 5, wherein charging is started when all of the plurality of battery packs are rechargeable, and that the plurality of battery packs is being charged is displayed. The rechargeable vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein when all of the plurality of battery packs are in the charging completed state, the charging completion state is displayed. A rechargeable vacuum cleaner having the charging device according to claim 1.

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