JP2005158565A - Battery pack and battery replacement method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery pack and a battery replacement method allowing a battery module to be detached or connected without interrupting charge and discharge of the battery pack nor requiring large-scale construction. <P>SOLUTION: Each battery module 4 is composed by inserting a connector terminal 2 of this battery pack 1 having the connector terminal 2 and a connector terminal socket 3 into the connector terminal socket 3; and by using a bar 5 for a charge-discharge circuit having connector terminal sockets 6 and by using another bar 5 for a charge-discharge circuit having connector terminals 7, the connector terminal of each battery module 4 is inserted into the corresponding connector terminal socket 6, and each connector terminal 7 is inserted into the connector terminal socket of the corresponding battery module 4, whereby this battery pack 10 composed by connecting the plurality of battery modules 4 in parallel with one another is composed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an assembled battery and a battery replacement method, and more particularly, to an assembled battery and a method for replacing a battery module that is a component of the assembled battery.

  Lead-acid batteries are mainly used as secondary batteries for backup of telecommunications power supplies. In order to obtain a DC voltage of 48V, 23 sealed lead-acid batteries are usually used in series to form a battery module, which is used as a secondary battery for backup. If even one of the single batteries is diagnosed as defective, all 23 connected in series are replaced at once. The reason for this is that when only one battery is replaced with a new one, the charge / discharge voltage characteristics will be different from those of other batteries in the module. This is because it is often used for the same time as a battery diagnosed as defective, and it is highly likely that the battery has been deteriorated to the same extent. Therefore, it is considered more economical to replace the batteries at once.

  As a method of exchanging the 23 assembled batteries connected in series, the 23 assembled batteries connected in series are connected in parallel with the assembled battery, and then replaced by disconnecting the assembled battery. Is doing. A cable is used between the assembled battery and the separately prepared battery and the charging / discharging device, and the connection point is connected with a conductive band and a bolt. However, large-scale construction by hand was necessary.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an assembled battery and a battery replacement method that can solve the above-described problems and can remove or connect a battery module without requiring a large-scale construction.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, as described in claim 1,
A battery module comprising one battery pack comprising a plurality of secondary batteries as a constituent element or a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery modules formed by connecting a plurality of battery packs connected in series, An assembled battery comprising a connector for replacing the deteriorated battery module in the assembled battery without interrupting charging / discharging of the battery is configured.

In the present invention, as described in claim 2,
A battery module comprising one battery pack comprising a plurality of secondary batteries as a constituent element or an assembled battery comprising a plurality of battery modules connected in series and connected in parallel. An assembled battery comprising: a connector for replacing the deteriorated battery module in the assembled battery without interrupting charging / discharging of the battery; and a switch for opening and closing a current circuit flowing through the connector.

In the present invention, as described in claim 3,
A battery replacement method for replacing the battery module as a component of the assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the battery module is attached and detached by the connector.

In the present invention, as described in claim 4,
A battery replacement method for replacing the battery module as a component of the assembled battery according to claim 2, wherein the battery module is attached and detached by the connector and the switch connected to the connector. The battery replacement method is configured.

  By implementing the present invention, it is possible to provide an assembled battery and a battery replacement method that allow a battery module to be removed or connected without requiring large-scale construction.

If the present invention is outlined,
The first invention of the present invention is an invention related to an assembled battery, wherein a plurality of battery modules comprising one battery pack comprising a plurality of secondary batteries or a plurality of battery modules formed by connecting a plurality of the battery packs in series are provided. In a battery pack that is connected in parallel by two bars for a charge / discharge circuit, the battery module in the battery pack is not required without requiring extensive construction and without interrupting the charge / discharge of the battery pack. A connector terminal and a connector terminal socket, which are connector terminals that can be replaced, are provided on the battery pack and the charge / discharge circuit bar. The present invention can be applied to a lead storage battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, a lithium ion battery, and the like used as a backup battery.

  The second invention of the present invention also relates to an assembled battery, and comprises a plurality of battery modules comprising one battery pack comprising a plurality of secondary batteries or a plurality of battery modules connected in series. In a battery pack that is connected in parallel by two bars for a charge / discharge circuit, the battery module in the battery pack is not required without requiring extensive construction and without interrupting the charge / discharge of the battery pack. A connector terminal, a connector terminal socket, and a switch for opening and closing a current circuit flowing through the connector are provided on the battery pack and the charge / discharge circuit bar. This invention can also be applied to lead storage batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, lithium ion batteries, and the like used as backup batteries.

  The third invention of the present invention is an invention relating to a battery replacement method, wherein the assembled battery according to the first invention is used, does not require large-scale construction, and interrupts charging / discharging of the assembled battery. Instead, the battery module in the assembled battery is replaced by a combination of the connector terminal detachment operation with respect to the connector terminal socket.

  The fourth invention of the present invention is also an invention related to a battery replacement system, and does not require large-scale construction using the assembled battery according to the second invention, and interrupts charging / discharging of the assembled battery. Rather, the battery module in the assembled battery is replaced by a combination of a detaching operation of the connector terminal with respect to the connector terminal socket and an opening / closing operation of the switch.

  Implementation of the present invention does not require large-scale construction, and without interrupting charging / discharging of the assembled battery, replacement of the battery module in the assembled battery can be performed by attaching and detaching the connector terminal to and from the connector terminal socket. This can be done by a combination of opening and closing operations of the switches, and a large-scale construction is not necessary.

  The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a battery module (in the case where the battery module is composed of a plurality of battery packs) that is a component of the assembled battery according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 1A, reference numeral 1 denotes a battery pack composed of a plurality of secondary batteries, and the battery pack 1 includes a connector terminal 2 and a connector terminal socket 3. In this case, the connector terminal 2 is a conductive protrusion and serves as a positive terminal of the battery pack 1, and the connector terminal socket 3 is a recess for receiving, that is, inserting the connector terminal 2 of another battery pack 1. In the recess, a conductive member serving as a negative electrode terminal of the battery pack 1 is provided, which is electrically connected to the connector terminal 2 of the other battery pack 1 inserted.

  In FIG. 1B, reference numeral 4 denotes a battery module in which a plurality of battery packs 1 are connected in series by inserting connector terminals 2 into connector terminal sockets 3. Is connected to the connector terminal 2 of the battery pack 1 on the right side to form a series connection of the battery packs 1 to form a battery module 4. The connector terminal 2 of the battery pack 1 at the left end of the battery module 4 is a connector terminal of the battery module 4, and the connector terminal socket 3 of the battery pack 1 at the right end is a connector terminal socket of the battery module 4. One battery pack 1 may constitute the battery module 4. In that case, the connector terminal 2 and the connector terminal socket 3 of the battery pack 1 become the connector terminal and the connector terminal socket of the battery module, respectively.

  FIG. 2 shows an assembled battery 10 in which a plurality of battery modules 4 shown in FIG. 1B are connected in parallel by two charge / discharge circuit bars 5. The charge / discharge circuit bar 5 on the positive electrode side (indicated by “+ electrode” in the figure) has a connector terminal of the battery module 4, that is, the battery pack 1 at the extreme end (in this case, the extreme end) of the battery module 4. The connector terminal socket 6 for inserting the connector terminal 2 not inserted into the socket is provided, and the battery module 4 is provided in the charge / discharge circuit bar 5 (indicated by “−pole” in the drawing) on the negative electrode side. Connector terminal socket, that is, a connector terminal 7 to be inserted into the connector terminal socket 3 into which the connector terminal of the battery pack 1 at the end of the battery module 4 (the bottom end in this case) is not inserted. ing. The connector terminal socket 6 and the connector terminal 7 may have the same structure as the connector terminal socket 3 and the connector terminal 2 of the battery pack 1, respectively. The connector terminal of the battery module 4 is inserted into the connector terminal socket 6, and the connector terminal 7 is inserted into the connector terminal socket of the battery module 4, thereby completing the electrical connection in the assembled battery 10.

  Each of the two charging / discharging circuit bars 5 includes a charger side opening / closing switch 8 for opening / closing the charging circuit and a load side opening / closing switch 9 for opening / closing the discharging circuit.

  If the battery pack 1 incorporated in the assembled battery 10 has the structure shown in FIG. 5, the battery module 4 can be easily replaced. 5A is a front view of the battery pack 1, FIG. 5B is a side view thereof, and FIG. 5C is a rear view thereof. The battery pack 1 has a cut-off portion 17 so that the connector terminal 2 of another battery pack can be inserted into the connector terminal socket 3 from the side surface (the back surface side in the drawing). When such a battery pack 1 is connected in series with the side where the cut-off portions 17 are alternately reversed as shown in FIG. 6, the battery pack 1 is pulled out in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the series connection. Can do. 6A is a front view of the three battery packs 1 connected in series by the above method, FIG. 6B is a side view thereof, and FIG. 6C is a rear view thereof. In this case, the center battery pack 1 of the three battery packs 1 can be pulled out in the front side direction (left side direction in the side view (b), indicated by an arrow).

  When the battery module 4 is composed of three or more battery packs 1, all the battery packs 1 may not have the structure shown in FIG. For example, in the state shown in FIG. 6, if the central battery pack 1 is pulled out in the front side direction, the lowermost battery pack 1 can be pulled out upward. Such a battery pack 1 is shown in FIG. It is not necessary to have the structure shown in FIG. 1, and it is sufficient to have the structure shown in FIG.

  In the battery pack 10, all battery modules connected in parallel are connected to the charger-side switch 8 and the load-side switch 9 of the charge / discharge circuit bar 5, and on the charger side during charging or during standby. When the open / close switch 8 is closed, the load side open / close switch 9 is opened and disconnected from the discharge circuit. At the time of discharging, an abnormal signal such as a power failure is detected by the switches 8 and 9, and the charger side open / close switch 8 is opened, the load side open / close switch 9 is closed, and discharging is performed while disconnected from the charging circuit.

  When removing any of the battery modules 4 due to a failure such as deterioration, the connector terminal of the battery module 4 determined to be defective is removed from the connector terminal socket 6 of the charge / discharge circuit bar 5 and the charge / discharge circuit bar 5 is removed. By removing the connector terminal 7 from the connector terminal socket of the battery module 4, the battery module 4 can be disconnected from the charge / discharge circuit connected in parallel of the assembled battery 10. At this time, if the battery module 4 realizes the state shown in FIG. 6, the battery pack in the battery module 4 can be pulled out in the lateral direction, and thus the above operation can be easily performed. When the replacement of the removed battery module is mounted, the above operation may be reversed. In this way, it is possible to provide an assembled battery and a battery replacement method that allow a battery pack or a battery module to be removed or connected without requiring large-scale construction. Moreover, said exchange operation can be performed without interrupting charging / discharging of an assembled battery.

  A battery pack 11 shown in FIG. 3A has a configuration in which a switch 12 is provided in the battery pack 1 shown in FIG. The battery pack 11 includes a connector terminal 2 on the positive electrode side, that is, the + side, and a connector terminal socket 3 and a switch 12 that can open and close a current circuit in the connector terminal socket 3 on the negative electrode side, that is, the negative side.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, when the battery module 13 is configured by connecting a plurality of battery packs 1 or 11 in series, the connector terminal 2 on the + side of the battery pack 1 or 11 is connected to another battery pack 13. A battery module 13 that is connected in series is configured by being inserted into the minus-side connector terminal socket 3 of the battery pack 1 or 11. The connector terminal 2 of the battery pack 11 at the left end of the battery module 4 is a connector terminal of the battery module 13, and the connector terminal socket 3 of the battery pack 11 at the right end is a connector terminal socket of the battery module 13. In FIG. 3B, a case where all the battery packs are provided with the switch 12 is shown. Moreover, the one battery pack 11 may comprise the battery module 13 as it is. In that case, the connector terminal 2 and the connector terminal socket 3 of the battery pack 11 become the connector terminal and the connector terminal socket of the battery module, respectively.

  When the positive connector terminal 2 of another battery pack 1 or 11 is inserted into the negative connector terminal socket 3 of the battery pack 11, the switch 12 is closed and the connector terminal 2 is prevented from being removed from the connector terminal socket 3. Thus, the battery packs can be securely connected. The switch 12 can be configured using, for example, a metal clamp that moves the connector terminal 2 electrically or manually. On the other hand, when the connector terminal 2 is pulled out from the connector terminal socket 3 of the battery pack 11, if the switch 12 is opened by electric or manual operation, the current circuit in the battery pack 11 is opened and the connector terminal 2 is connected to the connector terminal socket. Thus, the connector terminal 2 can be pulled out from the connector terminal socket 3.

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration of an assembled battery 16 in which the battery module 13 shown in FIG. 3 is connected in parallel by two charging / discharging circuit bars 14. In the figure, the charge / discharge circuit bar 14 on the positive electrode side (indicated by “+ electrode” in the figure) is connected to the switch 15 for connecting or removing the battery module 4 or 13 in parallel and the + side of the battery module 4 or 13. The connector terminal socket 6 into which the connector terminal is inserted is provided, and the charge / discharge circuit bar on the negative electrode side (indicated by “−pole” in the figure) includes the connector terminal 7 to be inserted into the connector terminal socket of the battery module 13, and the positive electrode The connector terminal of the battery module 4 or 13 is inserted into the connector terminal socket 6 of the charging / discharging circuit bar 14 on the side, and the connector terminal 7 of the charging / discharging circuit bar 4 on the negative electrode side is inserted into the connector terminal socket of the battery module 4 or 13. The assembled battery 16 is configured by insertion. In the figure, a case where only the battery module 13 is used as the battery module is shown.

  When the battery modules 4 or 13 are connected in parallel, when the positive connector terminal of the battery module 4 or 13 is inserted into the positive connector terminal socket 6 of the charge / discharge circuit bar 14, the switch 15 is closed and the connector terminal The positive connector terminal of the battery module 4 or 13 is prevented from coming off from the socket 6, and the switch 12 is closed when the negative connector terminal of the charge / discharge circuit bar 14 is inserted into the connector terminal socket of the battery module 13. The connector terminal 7 is prevented from coming off from the connector terminal socket 3, an electrical connection between the terminal and the socket is formed, and the battery modules 4 or 13 can be reliably connected in parallel.

  The battery modules 4 or 13 connected in parallel are connected to the charger-side open / close switch 8 and the load-side switch 9 of the charge / discharge circuit bar 14. During charging or during standby, the charger-side open / close switch 8 is closed, and the load-side open / close switch 9 is open and disconnected from the discharge circuit. At the time of discharging, an abnormal signal such as a power failure is detected by the switches 8 and 9, and the charger side open / close switch 8 is opened, the load side open / close switch 9 is closed, and discharging is performed while disconnected from the charging circuit. When the battery module 4 or 13 is removed due to a failure such as deterioration, the switch 15 provided in the charge / discharge circuit bar 14 connected to the battery module 4 or 13 determined to be defective is opened to open the positive side The connector terminal of the battery module 4 or 13 is pulled out from the connector terminal socket 6 provided in the charge / discharge circuit bar 14, and the connector terminal 7 provided in the negative charge / discharge circuit bar 14 is connected to the connector terminal socket of the battery module 4 or 13. The battery module 4 or 13 can be disconnected from the assembled battery 16 by being pulled out from the socket. At this time, it is necessary to open the switch 12 of the battery pack 11 connected to the negative electrode side charge / discharge circuit bar 14 at the end of the battery module 13.

  If the battery module 4 realizes the state shown in FIG. 6, the battery pack in the battery module 4 or 13 can be pulled out in the lateral direction, and thus the above operation can be easily performed. When the replacement of the removed battery module is mounted, the above operation may be reversed. In this way, it is possible to provide an assembled battery and a battery replacement method that allow battery modules to be removed or connected without requiring large-scale construction. Moreover, said exchange operation can be performed without interrupting charging / discharging of an assembled battery. In particular, when the switch 12 or 15 is operated, the current flowing through the battery module to be removed is cut off, so that subsequent operations can be performed safely.

  In the above description, the case where the connector terminal is provided on the positive electrode side and the connector terminal socket is provided on the negative electrode side has been described. However, the polarity is reversed, the connector terminal is provided on the negative electrode side, and the connector terminal socket is connected to the positive electrode. Even when it is provided on the side, the same effect as described above appears.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although this invention is explained in full detail based on an Example, this invention is not limited to a present Example.

Example 1
10 nickel-metal hydride batteries of D size and nominal capacity of 7000 mAh are connected in series, connector terminals are provided on the + side, connector terminal sockets are provided on the − side, and 12 battery packs having the configuration shown in FIG. A charging / discharging bar shown in FIG. 2 having a connector terminal socket on the + side and a connector terminal on the − side and having a charger side opening / closing switch and a load side opening / closing switch was manufactured.

  Two sets of battery modules in which four battery packs having a nominal voltage of 12 V were connected in series were connected in parallel to the charge / discharge circuit bar to form the assembled battery shown in FIG. The charger side opening / closing switch of the charging / discharging circuit bar was closed and connected to the charger, and the assembled battery was charged with a charging current of 2A. When one battery module was removed from the assembled battery in this charged state, the charging current increased slightly, but after a few seconds it stabilized at 2A. Next, when another battery module was inserted into the place of the removed battery module, the charging current was slightly reduced, but after a few seconds it became stable at 2A.

  Further, the charger side switch was opened, and the load side switch was closed, and discharging was performed at 2A. In this discharge state, when the battery module was removed from the assembled battery, there was almost no fluctuation in current or voltage. Next, another battery module was inserted in the place of the removed battery module, but almost no change was observed in the current and voltage.

Example 2
The battery pack shown in FIG. 3, comprising 10 D-size, 7000 mAh nickel-metal hydride batteries connected in series, a connector terminal on the + side, a connector terminal socket on the − side, and a switch for separating the connector terminal from the connector terminal socket 4 with a connector terminal socket on the + side and a switch for separating the connector terminal from the connector terminal socket, and a charging / discharging bar shown in FIG. 1 circuit was made.

  Two battery modules in which four battery packs having a nominal voltage of 12 V were connected in series were connected in parallel to the charge / discharge circuit bar to form the battery pack shown in FIG. When the battery pack and the battery module were connected, it was confirmed that the connector terminal open / close switch provided in the battery pack and the connector terminal open / close switch provided on the + side of the charge / discharge circuit bar were both opened and securely connected.

  The charger side opening / closing switch of the charging / discharging circuit bar was closed and connected to the charger, and the assembled battery was charged with a charging current of 2A.

  In this state of charge, one battery module from the assembled battery was opened on the charge / discharge circuit bar + side connector terminal open / close switch, and this battery module was disconnected from the parallel circuit. In order to stabilize at 2A, the battery module separated from this parallel circuit was removed. Next, when another battery module was inserted into the place of the removed battery module, the charging current was slightly reduced, but after a few seconds it became stable at 2A. Further, the charger side switch was opened, and the load side switch was closed, and discharging was performed at 2A. In this discharge state, when the battery module is disconnected from the battery pack and the connector terminal open / close switch on the discharge circuit bar + side is opened and this battery module is disconnected from the parallel circuit, there is almost no change in current or voltage. The battery module that was disconnected from was removed. Next, another battery module was inserted in the place of the removed battery module, but almost no fluctuations in current and voltage were observed.

It is a figure explaining the battery pack and battery module which concern on this invention. It is a figure explaining the assembled battery which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the battery pack and battery module which concern on this invention. It is a figure explaining the assembled battery which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the battery pack which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining a part of battery module concerning the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Battery pack, 2 ... Connector terminal, 3 ... Connector terminal socket, 4 ... Battery module, 5 ... Bar for charge / discharge circuit, 6 ... Connector terminal socket, 7 ... Connector terminal, 8 ... Charger side opening / closing switch, 9 ... Load-side opening / closing switch, 10 ... assembled battery, 11 ... battery pack, 12 ... switch, 13 ... battery module, 14 ... charge / discharge circuit bar, 15 ... switch, 16 ... assembled battery, 17 ... cut-off portion.

Claims (4)

  A battery module comprising one battery pack comprising a plurality of secondary batteries as a constituent element or an assembled battery comprising a plurality of battery modules connected in series and connected in parallel. An assembled battery comprising a connector for replacing the deteriorated battery module in the assembled battery without interrupting charging / discharging of the battery.   A battery module comprising one battery pack comprising a plurality of secondary batteries as a constituent element or an assembled battery comprising a plurality of battery modules connected in series and connected in parallel. An assembled battery comprising: a connector for replacing the deteriorated battery module in the assembled battery without interrupting charging / discharging of the battery; and a switch for opening and closing a current circuit flowing through the connector.   A battery replacement method for replacing the battery module as a component of the assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the battery module is attached and detached by the connector.   A battery replacement method for replacing the battery module which is a component of the assembled battery according to claim 2, wherein the battery module is attached / detached by the connector and the switch connected to the connector. Battery replacement method.

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