JP2004120856A - Power supply - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply of larger capacity, saved space, and extended life, capable of backing up even when a power failure occurs during judging degradation of a battery. <P>SOLUTION: When performing a discharge capacity test with a battery pack whose degradation is to be judged among a plurality of battery packs 41 and 42 connected in parallel, a battery monitoring means 7 issues a charge start request to a monitor control unit in response to the test request from the monitor control unit 10, to make a charge control means 5 fully charge the battery pack whose degradation is to be judged. Then a battery pack whose degradation is not to be judged is fully charged for discharge capacity test. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a power supply device, and more particularly to a communication DC power supply device that is installed in a wireless communication base station or the like and has a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery mounted as a backup power supply at the time of a power failure or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a lead storage battery has been used as a backup power supply at the time of power failure or maintenance in a communication DC power supply device installed in a base station such as a mobile phone (for example, see Patent Document 1). This lead storage battery is float-charged by a DC voltage obtained by rectifying an AC voltage of a commercial power supply with a rectifier, and no charge control is performed.
[0003]
One of the methods for determining the deterioration and life of a lead-acid battery used in such a power supply device is that the internal resistance of the battery increases with the progress of the deterioration depending on the environmental temperature. There is a method of detecting and determining the degree of descent. As another deterioration determination method, there is a method in which a lead storage battery is periodically subjected to a discharge test, and the amount of discharged electricity is calculated and determined.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-315015
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In recent years, power demand for communication DC power supplies has been increasing, and their installation space is also limited. However, when a lead-acid battery is used as a backup power supply for a communication DC power supply, there is a problem in terms of high capacity and space saving, and the service life due to aging is short, and costs increase due to maintenance and inspection. There is also the problem of doing.
[0006]
In addition, as described above, the method of periodically performing a discharge test on a lead storage battery and calculating the amount of discharged electricity to determine deterioration is performed when the lead storage battery is backing up a communication facility or the like. However, there is a possibility that the communication equipment may be stopped due to a power outage or the like, so that the communication cannot be performed.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to use a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery instead of a lead storage battery to achieve high capacity, space saving, and long life. It is another object of the present invention to provide a power supply device capable of backing up even in the event of a power failure during battery deterioration determination.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a power supply device according to the present invention includes a plurality of assembled batteries in which a plurality of nickel-hydrogen secondary batteries are connected in series and a plurality of assembled batteries connected in parallel, and a commercial power supply. A rectifier that rectifies AC power to supply DC power to a load including communication equipment and a plurality of assembled batteries, and charging that receives DC power from the rectifier and controls charging of the amount of electricity to the plurality of assembled batteries. Control means, discharge control means for controlling the discharge of the amount of electricity charged in the plurality of assembled batteries, voltage information (V11, V12, V13, V14; V21, V22, V23, V24) of the plurality of assembled batteries, current Battery monitoring means for calculating at least the remaining capacity (SOC1; SOC2) of at least a plurality of assembled batteries based on the information (I1; I2) and the temperature information (Tb1; Tb2), and monitoring the states of the plurality of assembled batteries ( A battery ECU (Electronic Control Unit), a monitoring control unit (MPU) that controls the output voltage of the rectifier, and controls the charge control unit and the discharge control unit in response to an instruction from the battery monitoring unit. Boosting means for boosting the voltage supplied to the load and maintaining the voltage at the first voltage value when the voltage falls below a first voltage value (for example, 46 volts) at which the load can operate. When performing a discharge capacity test on the battery pack subject to deterioration determination among the batteries, in response to a test request from the monitoring control unit, the battery monitoring unit issues a charge start request (CSTART1; CSTART2) to the monitoring control unit. The charging control means charges a battery pack subject to deterioration determination and / or a battery pack not subject to deterioration determination, and then performs a discharge capacity test. You.
[0009]
According to this configuration, the discharge capacity test is performed on the battery pack subject to the deterioration determination, and even if the voltage supplied to the load decreases, the battery voltage can be boosted by the booster and supplied to the load. In addition, communication equipment can be backed up even during a power failure. In addition, as a result of the discharge capacity test for the battery cell subject to deterioration determination, even if it is determined that the battery cell subject to deterioration determination is deteriorated or has reached the end of its life, the battery pack not subject to deterioration determination is being charged. Therefore, the communication equipment can be reliably backed up by the battery pack not subject to the deterioration determination.
[0010]
In the power supply device according to the present invention, after charging the battery pack subject to the deterioration determination and / or the battery pack not subject to the deterioration determination to full charge, the monitoring control unit causes the discharge control unit to output the battery pack not subject to the deterioration determination. After the discharge from the battery pack is prohibited, the discharge from the battery pack to be deteriorated is started.
[0011]
Further, during the discharge capacity test, the monitoring control unit reduces the output voltage of the rectifier to a second voltage value (for example, 45 volts) lower than the first voltage value (for example, 46 volts). And
[0012]
In addition, the battery monitoring unit reduces the voltage of the battery pack to be deteriorated to a third voltage value (for example, 43 volts) lower than the second voltage value (for example, 45 volts) based on the voltage information. If it is determined that the battery pack is to be deteriorated, a discharge stop request (CSTOP1; CSTOP2) is issued to the monitoring control unit to terminate the discharge from the battery pack subject to deterioration determination.
[0013]
Further, the battery monitoring means calculates the amount of discharged electricity from the start time to the end time of the discharge of the battery pack subject to the deterioration determination, and calculates the calculated amount of discharged electricity as a first threshold (for example, 80% of the rated capacity of the battery). (80Ah), which is equivalent to the above, the battery pack to be deteriorated is notified to the monitor control unit that the battery pack is deteriorated or has reached the end of its life. In this case, when the calculated amount of discharged electricity falls below a second threshold (for example, 70 Ah) lower than the first threshold, the battery monitoring unit determines that the battery pack to be deteriorated has reached the end of its life. Is notified.
[0014]
According to this configuration, at the time of the discharge capacity test, when the amount of discharged electricity is equal to or more than the first threshold, the battery pack to be deteriorated is determined to be normal. If the battery charge is equal to or more than the threshold value of 2, the battery pack to be deteriorated is determined to be deteriorated, and if the amount of discharged electricity is less than the second threshold value, the battery pack to be deteriorated is determined to have reached the end of its life. Can be.
[0015]
The power supply device according to the present invention further reduces the voltage supplied to the load when the voltage supplied to the load exceeds a fourth voltage value at which the load can operate (eg, 55 volts). It is preferable to provide a step-down means for maintaining the pressure.
[0016]
According to this configuration, when the battery pack is almost fully charged and the battery voltage is rising, it is possible to supply the operation assurance voltage to the load by decreasing the battery voltage.
[0017]
In the power supply device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the discharge control unit also functions as a step-down unit. Thereby, the step-down means can be easily configured.
[0018]
It is preferable that the power supply device according to the present invention further includes an overdischarge prevention unit that stops discharging to the load when a deep discharge of the battery pack is detected. In this case, the discharge control unit has a function of the overdischarge prevention unit. It is preferable to also serve as
[0019]
In the power supply device according to the present invention, when the battery monitoring unit determines that the temperature of the assembled battery has reached a predetermined temperature (for example, 60 ° C.) or more based on the temperature information while charging the assembled battery. Preferably, a charge stop request (CSTOP1; CSTOP2) is issued to cause the charge control means to interrupt charging of the assembled battery.
[0020]
In this case, after issuing the charge stop request, the battery monitoring unit sets the temperature of the assembled battery to a predetermined temperature (for example, 60 ° C.) based on the temperature information while the charging control unit suspends the charging of the assembled battery. ), It is preferable to issue a charge start request (CSTART1; CSTART2) to cause the charge control means to restart charging the assembled battery.
[0021]
According to this configuration, when the temperature of the assembled battery is high, the charging efficiency is deteriorated. Therefore, the charging of the assembled battery is temporarily stopped, and after the temperature of the assembled battery is lowered, the charging is restarted. Optimum charge control can be performed on the assembled battery.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0023]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a power supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a 50 Hz or 60 Hz commercial power supply, 2 is a rectifier that rectifies the AC power of the commercial power supply 1 to generate DC power (for example, nominal voltage VCC = −48 V), and 3 is a load including communication equipment and the like. (The current rating is, for example, 60 A).
[0024]
Reference numeral 41 denotes a first assembled battery (for example, a capacity of 100 Ah) in which four unit batteries (for example, battery modules) each composed of a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery are connected in series, and reference numeral 42 denotes a unit battery composed of a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery. (For example, a battery module) is a second assembled battery in which four are connected in series and connected in parallel with the first assembled battery 41. Although FIG. 1 illustrates a case where two assembled batteries are connected in parallel, it goes without saying that three or more assembled batteries may be connected as needed.
[0025]
Reference numeral 5 denotes charging control means for receiving the DC power from the rectifier 2 and controlling charging of the amount of electricity to the first assembled battery 41 and the second assembled battery 42, and 6 designates the first assembled battery 41 and the second assembled battery This is a discharge control means for controlling the discharge of the amount of electricity charged in 42. The charge control means 5 and the discharge control means 6 are configured to include two sets of power switch elements and a backflow prevention diode corresponding to the first assembled battery 41 and the second assembled battery 42, respectively. .
[0026]
Reference numeral 7 denotes a battery monitoring unit (battery ECU (Electronic Control Unit)), which includes voltage information (V11, V12, V13, V14) of the first assembled battery 41, current information (I1) of the first assembled battery 41, And at least the remaining capacity SOC1 of the first assembled battery 41 is calculated based on the temperature information (Tb1) of the first assembled battery 41 and the voltage information (V21, V22, V23, V24) of the second assembled battery 42. ), The remaining capacity SOC2 of at least the second assembled battery 42 is calculated based on the current information (I2) of the second assembled battery 42 and the temperature information (Tb2) of the second assembled battery 42, The status of the assembled battery 41 and the second assembled battery 42 is monitored.
[0027]
Reference numeral 81 denotes a current sensor that detects a charge / discharge current flowing through the first assembled battery 41, and reference numeral 82 denotes a current sensor that detects a charge / discharge current flowing through the second assembled battery 42.
[0028]
Reference numeral 9 denotes a step-up means, which reduces the DC voltage from the rectifier 2 at the time of a power failure or a battery discharge capacity test, and reduces the voltage of the first assembled battery 41 and the second assembled battery 42 at the end of discharging. When the voltage falls below a first voltage value (a battery voltage value higher than the lower limit value of the operation guarantee voltage of the load 3, for example, 46 volts), the voltage supplied to the load 3 is boosted and maintained at the first voltage value. Work.
[0029]
Reference numeral 10 denotes a monitoring control unit (MPU) which controls an output voltage from the rectifier 2 and performs an instruction (charging) from the battery ECU 7 during a discharge capacity test of the first assembled battery 41 and the second assembled battery 42. In response to a start request (CSTART), a charge stop request (CSTOP), a discharge start request (DSTART), a discharge stop request (DSTOP), and the like, the charge / discharge operation by the charge control unit 5 and the discharge control unit 6 is controlled.
[0030]
Next, the charging / discharging operation of the power supply device configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4A, and 4B in addition to FIG.
[0031]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a basic charge / discharge operation in the power supply device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a charge / discharge operation in the case where a charge interruption occurs in the power supply device of FIG. The upper part of FIGS. 2 and 3 shows the time change of the remaining capacity SOC1 of the first assembled battery 41 and the time change of the remaining capacity SOC2 of the second assembled battery 42 due to charging and discharging. The lower side shows flags indicating various requests and states.
[0032]
FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a time change of each part voltage during a discharge capacity test, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a time change of a discharge current (I) and a discharge electric quantity (Q). In FIG. 4A, a period T31 is a period of a steady state, a period T32 is a period for slightly lowering the output voltage VR of the rectifier 2 to confirm the circuit operation, a period T33 is a standby period, and a period T34 is a period when the battery voltage VB is lower. The period T35 is a discharging period in which the battery voltage VB is falling and a period in which the boosting unit 9 is operating, and the period T35 is a period in which the boosting unit 9 is not operating. Further, VL indicates a voltage supplied to the load 2 and VO indicates a voltage range in which the load 2 can operate.
[0033]
In FIG. 2, when the battery ECU 7 issues a charge start request (CSTART1) for the first assembled battery 41 at the start of the period T1 (initial charge period) (at the time of battery replacement), the MPU 10 receives the request. The corresponding power switch element of the charging control means 5 is controlled to be turned on, and charging of the first assembled battery 41 (for example, constant current charging of 10 A) is performed.
[0034]
Next, when the battery ECU 7 detects that the state of charge SOC1 of the first assembled battery 41 has reached a full charge (100%), the battery ECU 7 issues a charge current control request CC1 to the first assembled battery 41, for example. 3A is charged for a predetermined time, and the charge start request (CSTART1) is released. In this state, the first assembled battery 41 enters a standby state as a backup power supply.
[0035]
At the same time, the battery ECU 7 issues a charge start request (CSTART2) to the second assembled battery 42, and in response to this, the MPU 10 controls the corresponding power switch element of the charge control means 5 to the ON state, and Charging of the assembled battery 42 (for example, constant current charging of 10 A) is performed.
[0036]
Next, when the battery ECU 7 detects that the state of charge SOC2 of the second assembled battery 42 has reached a full charge (100%), the battery ECU 7 issues a charge current control request CC2 to the second assembled battery 42, for example. 3A is charged for a predetermined time, and the charge start request (CSTART2) is released. In this state, the second assembled battery 42 enters a standby state as a backup power supply.
[0037]
In a period T2 in which the first assembled battery 41 and the second assembled battery 42 are in the standby state, the remaining capacities SOC1 and SOC2 decrease due to the self-discharge of the assembled battery. When the state of charge SOC1 of the first assembled battery 41 decreases to the first state of charge SOCt1 (for example, 80%), the battery ECU 7 issues a charge start request (CSTART1) to the first assembled battery 41, and issues this request. In response, the MPU 10 controls the corresponding power switch element of the charging control means 5 to the on state, and the first assembled battery 41 is charged (for example, constant current charging of 10 A).
[0038]
Next, when detecting that the state of charge SOC1 of the first assembled battery 41 has reached full charge (100%), the battery ECU 7 issues a charge current control request CC1 to the first assembled battery 41. For example, 3A charging is performed for a predetermined time, and the charging start request (CSTART1) is released. Thereby, the auxiliary battery 41 is supplementarily charged.
[0039]
When the state of charge SOC2 of the second assembled battery 42 decreases to the first state of charge SOCt1 (for example, 80%), the battery ECU 7 issues a charge start request (CSTART2) to the second assembled battery 42, In response to this, the MPU 10 controls the corresponding power switch element of the charging control means 5 to the on state, and the second assembled battery 42 is charged (for example, constant current charging of 10 A).
[0040]
Next, when detecting that the state of charge SOC2 of the second assembled battery 42 has reached the full charge (100%), the battery ECU 7 issues a charge current control request CC2 to the second assembled battery 42. For example, the charging of 3A is performed for a predetermined time, and the charging start request (CSTART2) is released. As a result, auxiliary charging is performed on the second assembled battery 42.
[0041]
In this manner, in the period T2, the self-discharge of the first assembled battery 41 and the second assembled battery 42 and the supplementary charge for compensating the decrease in the remaining capacity due to the self-discharge are repeatedly performed.
[0042]
In the period T3, in order to determine the deterioration state of the battery, the MPU 10 performs a battery discharge capacity test, for example, every six months from the time of replacement. Here, a case in which the second assembled battery 42 is subjected to a discharge capacity test will be described. First, the test waiting flag (WAIT) is set, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the test waiting flag (WAIT) is lowered and, at the same time, the test charging flag (TCS) is set. The battery ECU 7 receives a test request from the MPU 10 and issues a charge start request (CSTART2) for the second assembled battery 42. In response to this, the MPU 10 turns on the corresponding power switch element of the charge control unit 5 in the on state. And the second assembled battery 42 is charged (for example, constant current charging of 10 A).
[0043]
Next, when detecting that the state of charge SOC2 of the second assembled battery 42 has reached the full charge (100%), the battery ECU 7 issues a charge current control request CC2 to the second assembled battery 42. For example, the charging of 3A is performed for a predetermined time, and the charging start request (CSTART2) is released.
[0044]
At the same time, the battery ECU 7 determines that a power failure or the like has occurred during the discharge capacity test on the second assembled battery 42, and as a result of the discharge capacity test, the second assembled battery 42 that is the subject of the deterioration determination The MPU 10 turns on the corresponding power switch element of the charge control unit 5 in response to the request to start charging the backup first assembled battery 41 (CSTART1). The state is controlled, and charging of the first assembled battery 41 (for example, constant current charging of 10 A) is performed.
[0045]
Next, when detecting that the state of charge SOC1 of the first assembled battery 41 has reached full charge (100%), the battery ECU 7 issues a charge current control request CC1 to the first assembled battery 41. For example, 3A charging is performed for a predetermined time, and the charging start request (CSTART1) is released.
[0046]
As a result, the test charging flag (TCS) is lowered, and the test charging end flag (TCE) is set for a predetermined time.
[0047]
When the test charge end flag (TCE) is lowered, the battery ECU 7 issues a discharge stop request (DSTOP1) to the first assembled battery 41, and in response, the MPU 10 causes the corresponding power switch element of the discharge control means 6 to operate. Is turned off, and discharge from the first assembled battery 41 is prohibited. Thereafter, the battery ECU 7 issues a discharge start request (DSTART2) to the second assembled battery 42, and in response, the MPU 10 sets the test-in-progress flag TEST, and turns on the corresponding power switch element of the discharge control means 6. While controlling the state, the rectifier 2 is controlled to reduce its output voltage VR to a second voltage value (for example, 45 volts) (period T34 in FIG. 4A), and the test from the second assembled battery 42 is performed. Discharge starts.
[0048]
Here, the output voltage VR of the rectifier 2 decreases, the battery voltage VB decreases due to the discharge from the second assembled battery 42, and the voltage VL supplied to the load 3 becomes the first voltage value (for example, 46 volts). (Period T34 in FIG. 4A), the booster 9 operates to boost the battery voltage VB and maintain the voltage VL supplied to the load 3 at a first voltage value (for example, 46 volts) (FIG. 4). 4A period T35). Thereby, the operation assurance voltage can be supplied to the load 3.
[0049]
Next, when detecting that the battery voltage has reached the third voltage value (for example, 43 volts) corresponding to the discharge lower limit voltage value from the voltage information V11 to V14 and V21 to V24, the battery ECU 7 notifies the MPU 10 of the end of the test. Notify In response, the MPU 10 sets a test end flag (TEND). At this time, as shown in FIG. 4B, the battery ECU 7 calculates a discharge electric quantity Q at the end of discharge from the discharge current I, and sets the discharge electric quantity Q to a first threshold value (for example, 80% of the rated capacity of the battery). It is determined whether it is equal to or greater than 80 Ah). If the result of the determination is that the amount of discharged electricity Q is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it is determined that the storage capacity is normal without any deterioration of the storage capacity, and that the amount of discharged electricity Q is less than the first threshold and a second threshold (for example, 70 Ah). If the above is the case, the storage capacity is degraded, and if the amount of discharged electricity Q is less than the second threshold, the second assembled battery 42 is determined to have reached the end of life, and the battery ECU 7 reports the test result to the MPU 10.
[0050]
When the discharge capacity test is completed in this way, in the period T4, the battery ECU 7 cancels the discharge stop request (DSTOP1) for the first assembled battery 41 and requests the start of charge (CSTART2) for the second assembled battery 42. In response to this, the MPU 10 controls the corresponding power switch element of the charge control means 5 to the ON state, and the second assembled battery 42 is charged (for example, constant current charging of 10 A).
[0051]
Next, when detecting that the state of charge SOC2 of the second assembled battery 42 has reached the full charge (100%), the battery ECU 7 issues a charge current control request CC2 to the second assembled battery 42. For example, the charging of 3A is performed for a predetermined time, and the charging start request (CSTART2) is released.
[0052]
In the subsequent period T5, as in the period T2, the self-discharge of the first assembled battery 41 and the second assembled battery 42 and the supplementary charge for compensating the decrease in the remaining capacity due to the self-discharge are repeatedly performed.
[0053]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a charging / discharging operation when charging is interrupted in the power supply device of FIG. 1, and periods T2 and T4 are the same as those of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 differs from FIG. 2 in that during the period T1 which is the initial charging period, the interruption of the initial charging of the second assembled battery 42 occurs, and in the period T3 which is the battery capacity testing period, the first charging is stopped. The point is that the supplementary charging of the assembled battery 41 is interrupted.
[0054]
During the period T1 in FIG. 3, during the initial charging of the second assembled battery 42, the battery ECU 7 determines that the temperature of the second assembled battery 42 has become equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature (for example, 60 ° C.) from the temperature information Tb2. Is detected, the charging efficiency has been degraded due to the high temperature. Therefore, the charging start request (CSTART2) that has been started is temporarily released, and charging is interrupted.
[0055]
When the temperature of the second assembled battery 42 drops below a predetermined temperature (for example, 60 ° C.) due to the interruption of charging, the battery ECU 7 issues a charge start request (CSTART2) again, and the second assembled battery 42 Resume charging.
[0056]
Further, during the period T3 of FIG. 3, during the supplementary charging of the first assembled battery 41, the battery ECU 7 determines that the temperature of the first assembled battery 41 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature (for example, 60 ° C.) from the temperature information Tb1. When it is detected that the charging efficiency is deteriorated due to the high temperature, the charging start request (CSTART1) that has been started is temporarily released, and the charging is interrupted.
[0057]
When the temperature of the first assembled battery 41 decreases to a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature (for example, 60 ° C.) due to the interruption of the charging, the battery ECU 7 issues a charge start request (CSTART1) again, and the first assembled battery 41 Resume charging.
[0058]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the discharge capacity test is performed on the battery pack subject to deterioration determination, and even if the voltage supplied to the load decreases, the battery voltage is boosted by the booster to increase the load. The communication equipment can be backed up even during a power failure. Also, as a result of the discharge capacity test for the battery cell subject to the deterioration determination, even if the battery cell subject to the deterioration determination is determined to be deteriorated or has reached the end of its life, the battery cells not subject to the deterioration determination are fully charged. Since the battery is charged, the communication equipment can be reliably backed up by a battery pack that is not subject to deterioration determination.
[0059]
Note that, in the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which both the battery pack subject to deterioration determination and the battery pack not subject to deterioration determination are charged to full charge, and then a discharge capacity test is performed on the battery pack subject to deterioration determination. However, a discharge capacity test may be performed on at least one of the battery pack subject to the deterioration determination and the battery pack not subject to the deterioration determination after the battery is charged. If the discharge capacity test is performed without supplementary charging of the battery to be judged for deterioration or the discharge capacity test is performed before reaching the full charge, there may be a slight error in the test results, The test time can be shortened, and there is no hindrance to the backup of the communication equipment, which is the object of the present invention.
[0060]
Further, in the present embodiment, the discharge control means 6 can also function as a step-down means. When the battery voltage rises and reaches a fourth voltage value (for example, 55 volts) in a state close to full charge, the step-down means operates to step down the battery voltage and change the voltage supplied to the load 3 to the fourth voltage. (For example, 55 volts). Thereby, the operation assurance voltage can be supplied to the load 3.
[0061]
Further, in this embodiment, the discharge control means 6 can also function as an overdischarge prevention means. When the battery ECU 7 detects a deep discharge due to the battery voltage dropping to the discharge termination voltage value, it issues a discharge stop request and causes the discharge control means 6 to stop discharging from the assembled battery. Thus, overdischarge can be easily prevented.
[0062]
Further, in the present embodiment, the power supply device may include a cooling unit (for example, a cooling fan) for the battery pack. In this case, the battery ECU 7 turns on the cooling fan to cool the battery pack while charging the battery pack and when the battery temperature is high even after the charging is completed. Thereby, it is possible to perform optimal charging control while suppressing a decrease in charging efficiency of the battery pack.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery having a high energy density (that is, capable of storing energy compactly) and a high output density is used, and charge / discharge control is performed according to the remaining capacity. By doing so, it is possible to realize a power supply device equipped with a backup power supply that achieves high capacity, space saving, and long life.
[0064]
Also, a discharge capacity test is performed on the battery pack subject to deterioration determination, and even if the voltage supplied to the load is reduced, the battery voltage can be boosted by the boosting means and supplied to the load. In this case, communication equipment can be backed up. Also, as a result of the discharge capacity test for the battery cell subject to the deterioration determination, even if the battery cell subject to the deterioration determination is determined to be deteriorated or has reached the end of its life, the battery cells not subject to the deterioration determination are fully charged. Since the battery is charged, the communication equipment can be reliably backed up by a battery pack that is not subject to deterioration determination.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a power supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing basic charge / discharge operations in the power supply device of FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a charge / discharge operation when a charge interruption occurs. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a time change of each part voltage during a discharge capacity test. Diagrams [Description of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Commercial power supply 2 Rectifier 3 Load 41 1st assembled battery 42 2nd assembled battery 5 Charge control means 6 Discharge control means 7 Battery monitoring means (battery ECU)
81, 82 Current sensor 9 Step-up means 10 Monitoring control unit (MPU)

Claims (13)

A plurality of assembled batteries in which a plurality of nickel-hydrogen secondary batteries are connected in parallel, and
A rectifier that rectifies AC power from a commercial power supply and supplies DC power to the load and the plurality of battery packs;
Charge control means for receiving the DC power from the rectifier and controlling the charging of the amount of electricity to the plurality of assembled batteries,
Discharge control means for controlling the discharge of the amount of electricity charged to the plurality of assembled batteries,
Battery monitoring means for calculating at least the remaining capacity of the plurality of assembled batteries based on the voltage information, the current information, and the temperature information of the plurality of assembled batteries, and monitoring states of the plurality of assembled batteries,
A monitoring control unit that controls the output voltage of the rectifier and controls the charge control unit and the discharge control unit in accordance with an instruction from the battery monitoring unit;
Boosting means for boosting the voltage supplied to the load and maintaining the first voltage value when the voltage supplied to the load falls below a first voltage value at which the load can operate;
When performing a discharge capacity test on the battery pack subject to deterioration determination among the plurality of battery packs, in response to a test request from the monitoring control unit, the battery monitoring unit issues a charge start request to the monitoring control unit. A power supply apparatus, wherein the charge control means charges the battery pack subject to the deterioration determination and / or the battery pack not subject to the deterioration determination, and then performs the discharge capacity test. After charging the battery pack subject to the deterioration determination and / or the battery pack not subject to the deterioration determination to full charge, the monitoring control unit causes the discharge control unit to discharge the battery pack not subject to the deterioration determination. 2. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein after the battery pack is prohibited, the discharge from the battery pack to be deteriorated is started. 3. The power supply device according to claim 2, wherein at the time of the discharge capacity test, the monitoring control unit reduces the output voltage of the rectifier to a second voltage value lower than the first voltage value. 4. When the battery monitoring means determines that the voltage of the battery pack to be deteriorated has decreased to a third voltage value lower than the second voltage value based on the voltage information, 4. The power supply device according to claim 3, wherein a discharge stop request is issued to end discharging from the battery pack to be deteriorated. The battery monitoring means calculates an amount of discharged electricity from a start time to an end time of discharging of the battery pack to be deteriorated, and when the calculated amount of discharged electricity falls below a first threshold value, The power supply device according to claim 4, wherein the monitoring control unit is notified that the assembled battery is deteriorated or has reached the end of its life. When the calculated amount of discharged electricity is lower than a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value, the battery monitoring unit notifies the monitoring control unit that the battery pack to be deteriorated has reached the end of its life. The power supply device according to claim 5, wherein: When the voltage supplied to the load exceeds a operable fourth voltage value of the load, the power supply device further reduces the voltage supplied to the load to maintain the voltage at the fourth voltage value. 2. The power supply device according to claim 1, further comprising means. 8. The power supply device according to claim 7, wherein said discharge control means also functions as said step-down means. 2. The power supply device according to claim 1, further comprising an overdischarge prevention unit that stops discharging to the load when a deep discharge of the battery pack is detected. 10. The power supply device according to claim 9, wherein said discharge control means also functions as said overdischarge prevention means. The battery monitoring unit issues a charge stop request and performs the charge control when determining that the temperature of the assembled battery has become equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature based on the temperature information while charging the assembled battery. 2. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein said means interrupts charging of said battery pack. The battery monitoring unit, after issuing the charging stop request, while the charging control unit suspends charging of the battery pack, the temperature of the battery pack is lower than the predetermined temperature based on the temperature information. 12. The power supply device according to claim 11, wherein when it is determined that the charging has started, the charging start request is issued to cause the charging control means to restart charging the battery pack. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the load includes a communication device.

Images