JP2005295798A - Power supply device for potable equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively utilize a primary battery of a battery adapter without increasing the number of power supply input terminals. <P>SOLUTION: A DC input terminal is used in common to which an AC adapter and the battery adapter are connected. It is discriminated which adapter, the AC adapter or the battery adapter, is connected to the DC input terminal by the magnitude of drop voltages (¾-ΔV1¾), (¾-ΔV2¾) indicating a fluctuation width of a terminal voltage in the DC input terminal 30 after supplying a power supply supplied via the DC input terminal to a load. When it is discriminated that the battery adapter is connected, the charging of a secondary battery in equipment is inhibited and the power supply is supplied only to the equipment. By this, the battery (the primary battery) stored in the battery adapter can be efficiently utilized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply device for a portable device such as a digital camera, a tape recorder, or a notebook computer, and more particularly to a power supply device for a portable device that uses a battery as a power source.

  Generally, in this type of portable device power supply, power is supplied from a primary battery 2 such as an alkaline battery to a DC-DC converter 4 and a controller 6 as shown in FIG. Operate. The DC-DC converter 4 converts the input voltage into various voltages necessary for the operation of each circuit in the portable device and outputs the converted voltage. The controller 6 detects the remaining amount (voltage) of the primary battery 2 and stops the operation of the DC-DC converter 4 when the remaining amount is exhausted, and displays a display indicating that the battery has run out as necessary. ing.

  However, in order to increase the power consumption of the device and to reduce the size of the device, a secondary battery is used as the power source of the device, and the AC adapter is used when there is no remaining battery. The device is connected to the power input terminal of the device, and power is supplied to the device through the power input terminal to charge the secondary battery. When the AC adapter cannot be used outdoors or the like, a battery adapter that stores a primary battery is attached to the device, and power is temporarily supplied to the device.

  However, when the battery adapter is attached to the device and the power from the battery adapter is supplied to the device, it is necessary to provide the device with a power input terminal different from the power input terminal to which the AC adapter is connected. There are problems such as an increase in the number of power input terminals.

  On the other hand, it is possible to connect the battery adapter to the power input terminal to which the AC adapter is connected. In this case, the secondary battery in the device is charged by the primary battery of the battery adapter. There exists a problem that the utilization efficiency of the primary battery of a battery adapter is bad.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a power supply device for a portable device that can effectively use a primary battery of a battery adapter without increasing the number of power input terminals. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 provides a power source for a portable device to which power is supplied from a secondary battery and to which power is supplied via a power input terminal to which an external AC adapter is connected. In the apparatus, a battery adapter connected to the power input terminal and capable of supplying power via the power input terminal and which of the AC adapter and the battery adapter is connected to the power input terminal are identified. Identification means; and detection means for supplying a power supplied via the power input terminal to a load and detecting a drop voltage indicating a fluctuation range of the terminal voltage at the power input terminal. It is characterized by identifying which one of the AC adapter and the battery adapter is connected based on the magnitude of the drop voltage detected by the detecting means. That. That is, by sharing the power input terminal to which the AC adapter and the battery adapter are connected, and detecting the drop voltage indicating the fluctuation range of the terminal voltage at the power input terminal, whether the AC adapter is connected to the power input terminal, The battery adapter is identified.

  The portable device power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the secondary battery is charged by the power supplied via the power input terminal, and the identification device When it is identified that a battery adapter is connected, the battery pack is provided with charging means for prohibiting charging of the secondary battery. That is, when a battery adapter is connected to the power input terminal, charging of the secondary battery in the device is prohibited, power is supplied only to the device, and thereby the battery ( Primary battery) can be used efficiently.

  The power supply device for a portable device according to claim 1, wherein charging means for charging the secondary battery with a power supplied via the power input terminal, and a voltage of the secondary battery. When it is determined that the secondary battery is not fully charged based on the voltage detected by the voltage detection means and the identification means that the AC adapter is connected, and the voltage detected by the voltage detection means, Charging control means for charging the secondary battery by the charging means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the portable device power supply device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the load is a load accompanying charging of the secondary battery.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to share a single power input terminal for the AC adapter and the battery adapter, thereby simplifying the terminal configuration and reducing the fluctuation range of the terminal voltage at the power input terminal. By detecting the indicated drop voltage, it is possible to identify whether an AC adapter or a battery adapter is connected to the power input terminal. When it is identified that the battery adapter is connected to the power input terminal, charging of the secondary battery in the portable device by the battery of the battery adapter is prohibited. It can be used efficiently.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a power supply device for portable equipment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a digital camera to which a power supply device for a portable device according to the present invention is applied.

  As shown in the figure, the front cabinet 10 and rear cabinet 12 of this digital camera are formed so that the lens / finder unit can be accommodated on the right side in FIG. 1, and the left side of the front cabinet 10 and rear cabinet 12 is A grip portion is formed, and a memory card (smart media) 14 is detachably formed. The front cabinet 10 is provided with a release button 16, a finder window 18, a dimming sensor / self LED window 20, a strobe cover 22, and the like. The rear cabinet 12 has a power switch 24, a mode dial 26, and a liquid crystal monitor. 28 etc. are arranged.

  Below the right side of the digital camera, an RS232C serial terminal 27, a video output terminal 28, a power supply (DC) input terminal 30, and the like are arranged. Reference numeral 29 denotes a terminal cover. Further, a secondary battery (not shown) is accommodated in the digital camera.

  In this digital camera, a secondary battery (not shown) is accommodated, and a battery adapter is prepared as an option or an accessory. The battery adapter is configured to accommodate, for example, a plurality of primary batteries, and has a connection cord with a plug for connecting to the DC input terminal 30, and is attached to the bottom of the camera using a tripod hole or the like. It is attached.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the power supply device of the digital camera. It is.

  As shown in the figure, the power supply device includes, as seeds, a DC input terminal 30, a secondary battery 32, a battery adapter identification switch 34, a charge control unit 36, a discharge switch 38, and a DC-DC converter 40. And the controller 42.

  An external AC adapter 44 or a battery adapter 46 can be plugged into the DC input terminal 30, and the power input via the DC input terminal 30 is supplied from the DC-DC converter via the diode D 1. 40 and to the controller 42 via the diodes D1 and D4.

  On the other hand, the power source of the secondary battery 32 is applied to the DC-DC converter 40 via the discharge switch 38 and the diode D2, and to the controller 42 via the diode D3. Further, the power source input via the DC input terminal 30 and the power source of the secondary battery 32 are directly applied to the controller 42 so that the voltage can be detected.

  The controller 42 determines the remaining amount by detecting the battery voltage of the secondary battery 32. When it is determined that there is a remaining amount, the controller 42 turns on the discharge switch 38, and turns on the power supply of the secondary battery 32 to the discharge switch 38 and the diode D2. To the DC-DC converter 40.

  Further, the controller 42 detects that the AC adapter 44 or the battery adapter 46 is connected to the DC input terminal 30, and based on the detection signal from the battery adapter identification switch 34, of the AC adapter 44 and the battery adapter 46. It is determined which is connected. When it is determined that the AC adapter 44 is connected to the DC input terminal 30 and it is determined that the battery voltage of the secondary battery 32 is not fully charged, the charging control unit 36 is controlled to charge the secondary battery 32. .

  Next, the operation of the power supply apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 and the graph of FIG.

  First, in step S10 of FIG. 3, it is determined whether or not the AC adapter 44 or the battery adapter 46 is connected to the DC input terminal 30. This determination is made based on whether or not the DC input terminal voltage is equal to or higher than the determination voltage V3 shown in FIG. If it is determined that the AC adapter 44 or the battery adapter 46 is connected to the DC input terminal 30, it is determined which of the AC adapter 44 and the battery adapter 46 is connected (step S12). This determination is made based on the detection signal from the battery adapter identification switch 34 as described above. The battery adapter identification switch 34 is a switch that is turned ON / OFF in conjunction with the attachment / detachment of the battery adapter 46 to / from the device (digital camera).

  If it is determined in step S12 that the battery adapter 46 is connected, charging of the secondary battery 32 is turned off (step S14).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the AC adapter 44 is connected, the presence or absence of the secondary battery 32 is subsequently determined (step S16). This determination is made based on whether or not the battery voltage is equal to or higher than the determination voltage V4 shown in FIG. If it is determined that the secondary battery 32 is loaded, it is determined whether or not the secondary battery 32 is fully charged (step S18). This determination is made based on whether or not the battery voltage is equal to or higher than the determination voltage V5 shown in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S18 that the secondary battery 32 is not fully charged, the charge control unit 36 is controlled to charge the secondary battery 32 (step S20).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S16 that the secondary battery 32 is not loaded, and if it is determined in step S18 that the secondary battery 32 is fully charged, the charging control of the secondary battery 32 is performed. Not performed.

  The graph of FIG. 4 shows the discharge voltage curve of the primary battery accommodated in the battery adapter 46 and the voltage range of the AC adapter 44 in addition to the determination voltage.

  At present, the plug of the battery adapter 46 is inserted into the DC input terminal 30, but if the battery adapter 46 is not properly attached, the battery adapter identification switch 34 may not operate effectively. The controller 42 erroneously detects that the AC adapter 44 is attached.

  Therefore, when the controller 42 determines that the battery adapter 46 is not connected by the battery adapter identification switch 34 (that is, the AC adapter 44 is connected), the DC input terminal voltage is AC voltage shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the voltage range of the adapter 44 (V1 to V2). When the DC input terminal voltage is outside the voltage range of the AC adapter 44, it is determined that the battery adapter 46 is connected, and charging of the secondary battery 32 by the power source of the battery adapter 46 is prohibited.

  In FIG. 4, the discharge voltage curve of the primary battery and the voltage range of the AC adapter may partially overlap, but the discharge voltage curve of the primary battery and the voltage range of the AC adapter do not overlap as shown in FIG. Thus, it is also possible to set the discharge voltage curve of the primary battery and the voltage range of the AC adapter. In this case, without providing the battery adapter identification switch 34, whether the AC adapter is connected or the battery adapter is connected depending on whether the DC input terminal voltage is equal to or higher than the judgment voltage V6 shown in FIG. Can be judged.

  Next, another embodiment of identification means for identifying which of the AC adapter and the battery adapter is connected to the DC input terminal will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a load is applied to the power supply input from the DC input terminal 30 at a predetermined time t1, and the drop voltages (−ΔV1, −ΔV2) of the terminal voltage at the DC input terminal 30 are detected. The absolute value | −ΔV1 | of the drop voltage when a load is applied to the power supply from the battery adapter 46 is larger than the absolute value | −ΔV2 | of the drop voltage when a load is applied to the power supply from the AC adapter 44 ( | −ΔV1 |> | −ΔV2 |).

  Accordingly, when an intermediate voltage value between the drop voltages (| −ΔV1 |) and (| −ΔV2 |) is set as the identification coefficient k, the detected drop voltage (| −ΔV |) is smaller than the identification coefficient k ( When | −ΔV | <k), it can be determined that the AC adapter 44 is connected, and when the detected drop voltage (| −ΔV |) is larger than the identification coefficient k (| −ΔV |> k). ), It can be determined that the battery adapter 46 is connected.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the operation of the power supply device according to the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, it is first determined whether or not the AC adapter 44 or the battery adapter 46 is connected to the DC input terminal 30 (step S22). When it is determined that the AC adapter 44 or the battery adapter 46 is connected to the DC input terminal 30, a load is applied to the power source input from the DC input terminal 30. In this embodiment, the secondary battery 32 is charged (step S24).

  Subsequently, the drop voltage (| −ΔV |) of the DC input terminal 30 when the load is applied is detected, and the detected drop voltage (| −ΔV |) is compared with the aforementioned identification coefficient k ( Step S26).

  When the drop voltage (| −ΔV |) is larger than the identification coefficient k (| −ΔV |> k), it is determined that the battery adapter 46 is connected (step S28), and the load is turned off (charge). Is set to OFF) (step S30).

  On the other hand, when the drop voltage (| −ΔV |) is smaller than the identification coefficient k (| −ΔV | <k), it is determined that the AC adapter 44 is connected (step S32), and the secondary battery 32 is charged. Continue to control.

  The power supply device according to the present invention is not limited to the digital camera of this embodiment, and can be applied to other portable devices.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a digital camera to which a power supply device for a portable device according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the power supply device of the digital camera. FIG. 3 is a flowchart used to explain the operation of the controller shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a graph showing a discharge voltage curve of the primary battery in which the battery adapter is accommodated, a voltage range of the AC adapter, and the like. FIG. 5 is a graph showing another embodiment of the discharge voltage curve of the primary battery in which the battery adapter is accommodated and the voltage range of the AC adapter. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the drop voltage of the power input terminal with respect to the load. FIG. 7 is a flowchart used to explain another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a power supply device of a conventional portable device.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Power source (DC) input terminal 32 ... Secondary voltage 34 ... Battery adapter identification switch 36 ... Charge control part 38 ... Discharge switch 40 ... DC-DC converter 42 ... Controller 44 ... AC adapter 46 ... Battery adapter

Claims (4)

In a power supply device for a portable device in which power is supplied from a secondary battery and power is supplied through a power input terminal to which an external AC adapter is connected.
A battery adapter connected to the power input terminal and capable of supplying power via the power input terminal;
Identifying means for identifying which of the AC adapter and the battery adapter is connected to the power input terminal;
Detecting means for supplying a power supplied via the power input terminal to a load and detecting a drop voltage indicating a fluctuation range of the terminal voltage at the power input terminal;
The power supply apparatus for a portable device, wherein the identification unit identifies which of the AC adapter and the battery adapter is connected based on a magnitude of a drop voltage detected by the detection unit.   Charging means for charging the secondary battery with power supplied via the power input terminal, and when the battery adapter is identified by the identification means, the secondary battery is charged. The power supply device for a portable device according to claim 1, further comprising a prohibiting charging unit.   Identifying that the AC adapter is connected by the charging means for charging the secondary battery with the power supplied via the power input terminal, the voltage detecting means for detecting the voltage of the secondary battery, and the identifying means And charging control means for charging the secondary battery by the charging means when it is determined that the secondary battery is not fully charged based on the voltage detected by the voltage detecting means. The power supply device for a portable device according to claim 1.   4. The power supply device for a portable device according to claim 1, wherein the load is a load accompanying charging of the secondary battery.

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