JP2005310432A - Battery automatic distinguishing device and battery driving device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To arrange that specification of a built-in battery is automatically distinguished simultaneously as a new battery box is installed and connected. <P>SOLUTION: When specific battery boxes B1 to B4 are selected and mounted on an uninterruptible power supply unit 21 and connected, respective push switches 1 to 4 distinguish characteristics of distinguishing parts 41 installed respectively on the battery boxes B1 to B4 in accordance with the specifications of the battery 22, and based on the detected result by the push switches 1 to 4, a distinguishing part 35 distinguishes the specifications of the battery 22 built in the boxes B1 to B4. Therefore, the uninterruptible power supply unit 21 can recognize automatically which kind of specifications the exchanged battery has simultaneously as the new battery boxes B1 to B4 are mounted and connected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic battery identification device that automatically identifies a battery specification after replacement when replacing a battery used in a battery drive device such as an uninterruptible power supply device, and the battery drive device. .

  A battery that supplies power to a battery drive such as an uninterruptible power supply is generally housed in a battery box having the same shape and dimensions, and the battery box is generally attached to and connected to the uninterruptible power supply. Is. In this battery box, the optimum number and type of battery cells are selected and accommodated corresponding to the voltage value required for the uninterruptible power supply and other power supply performance.

  For example, lead-acid batteries currently used as the mainstream of batteries are also required to have several different voltage values, and need to be replaced with a battery box containing the number and type of battery cells according to the request. Become. In addition, backup batteries used in uninterruptible power supply devices are currently widely used with lead-acid batteries as the mainstream. Recently, however, environmental problems have led to solutions for lead-acid battery disposal, and secondary batteries. In response to the demand for higher performance, practical use of alternative batteries has started, and there is a need to replace high-performance secondary batteries such as high-performance lithium-ion secondary batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and polymer batteries. Appears. Therefore, when designing an uninterruptible power supply, consider various specifications for lead batteries, various specifications for available lithium ion secondary batteries, or next-generation secondary batteries that are expected to be put to practical use in the future. In addition, by designing such that efficient and reliable exchange and response between these batteries can be performed, it is possible to obtain a highly useful device.

From this point of view, for example, in Patent Document 1, the power consumption of the battery is calculated inside the device, and the power consumption predicted from the storage capacity of the battery determined from the discharge voltage of the battery at that time, and the calculation In accordance with a comparison with the power consumption that has been made, there is disclosed a device that determines and reports battery performance deterioration or malfunction.
JP 2000-349873 A

  In an uninterruptible power supply designed to adapt to batteries with various specifications as described above, each time the battery box is replaced with a battery box containing various batteries, it is built in corresponding to the battery specifications accommodated. It is necessary to switch the charge / discharge circuit of the battery. For example, when a lead-acid battery is replaced with a lithium ion secondary battery, the operation mode of charge / discharge conditions corresponding to the specifications of the replaced lithium ion secondary battery is executed in the uninterruptible power supply. In addition, the charge / discharge circuit must be switched.

  However, although the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 can monitor the state of the battery after replacement for a long time, it does not automatically identify the specification of the battery built in the battery box. In some cases, each time a battery box containing a battery with a different specification is replaced, the charge / discharge circuit must be switched. For this reason, there has been a concern that an erroneous operation occurs during the work, and that efficient and reliable battery replacement cannot be performed.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of automatically identifying the specifications of a built-in battery at the same time that a new battery box is attached and connected.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the battery drive device to which the battery box to which the battery box is attached and connected is provided in the battery box in which batteries of different specifications are accommodated, respectively, according to the specification of the battery. It is a battery automatic identification apparatus provided with the detection part which detects the said identification part, and the discrimination | determination part which discriminate | determines the specification of the battery accommodated in the said battery box based on the detection result of the said detection part.

  In this case, when a specific battery box is selected and attached to the battery drive device, the detection unit on the side of the battery drive device shows the characteristics of the identification unit uniquely provided in the battery box according to the battery specifications. Based on the detection result of the detection unit, the determination unit determines the specifications of the battery built in the battery box. Therefore, on the battery drive side, it is possible to automatically recognize what type of battery has been replaced at the same time that a new battery box is attached and connected.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the detection unit includes a plurality of switches, and when the battery box is mounted on the battery driving device, each of the switches is turned on or off according to the specifications of the battery. Thus, the battery automatic identification device includes the identification unit.

  In this case, since each battery box is provided with an identification unit for turning on or off each switch in advance, if the battery box is attached to the battery driving device, the switch is automatically turned on / off from the on / off state. It is possible to determine the battery specifications.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the battery drive device includes a connector, and a plurality of contact pieces on the connector are configured as the detection unit, and the battery drive device and the battery box are electrically connected by the connector. In the battery automatic identification device, the identification unit is configured to short-circuit or open each of the contact pieces according to the specifications of the battery when connected.

  In this case, since each battery box is provided with an identification unit that short-circuits or opens each contact piece to an arbitrary line in advance, if the battery box is connected to the battery driving device, each contact piece is short-circuited. -It is possible to automatically determine the battery specifications from the open state.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery drive device in which battery boxes each containing batteries of different specifications are selectively attached and connected, and are driven by receiving power from the battery. A battery drive device comprising: a detection unit that detects a different identification unit according to a specification of the battery; and a determination unit that determines a specification of a battery stored in the battery box based on a detection result of the detection unit. is there.

  In this case, when a specific battery box is selectively mounted and connected, the detection unit recognizes the characteristic of the identification unit uniquely provided in the battery box according to the specification of the battery. Based on the detection result of the detection unit, the determination unit determines the specifications of the battery built in the battery box. Therefore, at the same time when a new battery box is attached and connected, it is possible to automatically recognize what kind of battery the battery has been replaced with.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic battery identification device capable of automatically identifying the specifications of a battery built in the battery box at the same time as attaching and connecting a new battery box.

  According to the invention of claim 2, it is possible to provide an automatic battery identification device capable of automatically determining the battery specifications from the on / off state of each switch simply by mounting the battery box on the battery drive device. .

  According to the invention of claim 3, by simply connecting the battery box to the connector of the battery drive device, the battery automatic identification device capable of automatically determining the battery specifications from the short-circuit / open state of each contact piece. Can provide.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery drive device capable of automatically identifying the specifications of the battery built in the battery box at the same time that a new battery box is attached and connected.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an automatic battery identification device and a battery drive device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the battery drive device in each embodiment is an uninterruptible power supply device that continues to supply a required output voltage to the load by power supply from the battery even when the AC input voltage decreases or a power failure occurs.

  1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention employing a push switch system. In the figure, reference numeral 20 indicated by a one-dot chain line indicates an outer body of the uninterruptible power supply 21, and reference numeral 6 indicates an uninterruptible power supply 11 side battery box joint provided exposed on the outer body 20. The battery box joint 6 has an input terminal 5 for power supply for electrical connection with a battery 22 in battery boxes B1 to B4 to be described later, and is positioned above the input terminal 5. A plurality of momentary push switches 1 to 4 serving as detection units serving as a plurality of switches are provided, and push pins 1P to 4P of the push switches 1 to 4 are projected and retracted by an external force.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, four types of battery boxes B1 to B4 having different specifications of the built-in battery 22 are prepared. For example, the battery box B1 includes a lead storage battery having a terminal voltage of DC48V as a battery 22, the battery box B2 includes a lead storage battery having a terminal voltage of DC24V as a battery 22, and the battery box B3 has a terminal voltage. A lithium ion secondary battery with a DC of 24.6V is built in as the battery 22, and the battery box B4 has a next-generation secondary battery with a terminal voltage of DC 12V, which is expected to be put into practical use, built in as the battery 22. This is merely an example, and a battery box B of a more or limited type may be prepared.

  FIG. 1 shows a state in which the battery box B1 is attached and connected to the uninterruptible power supply 21. In the figure, reference numerals 1C to 4C denote contacts of the push switches 1 to 4, and correspondingly, in this embodiment, four charge / discharge control switching circuits 31 to 34 as the determination unit 35 are provided with the uninterruptible power supply 21. Is provided inside. In this case, when any one of the push pins 1P to 4P is selectively pressed, the conductive pieces (not shown) at the base ends of the push pins 1P to 4P are The corresponding contacts 1C to 4C are closed, and the operating voltage Vcc is supplied to the charge / discharge control switching circuits 31 to 34 connected to the contacts 1C to 4C. The charge / discharge control switching circuits 31 to 34 are provided corresponding to the battery boxes B1 to B4 prepared in advance, and when the specific battery boxes B1 to B4 are connected to the uninterruptible power supply 21. The battery boxes B1 to B4 are optimally charged / discharged.

  Each of the battery boxes B1 to B4 having an outer shape that has a common rectangular shape accommodates batteries 22 having different specifications, and an identification unit 41 having a specific physical shape in accordance with the accommodated battery 22. Is provided facing the push switches 1 to 4. The identification unit 41 is provided to identify the specification of the battery 22 on the uninterruptible power supply 21 side. More specifically, the identification unit 41 is formed as a push-in portion of the push pins 1P to 4P, and the battery box B1. A flat portion 42 that is flush with one side surface of B4, and a recess 43 that is formed as a non-pressing portion (non-contact portion) of the push pins 1P to 4P and that is recessed inward from one side surface of the battery boxes B1 to B4. Is provided facing the tip of each push pin 1P-4P. Further, on one side of the battery boxes B1 to B4, when the battery boxes B1 to B4 are attached to the battery box joint 6 of the uninterruptible power supply 21, the input of the battery box joint 6 is input. A connector / pin insertion hole 44 connected to the terminal 5 is provided.

  It should be noted that the flat portion 42 serving as the pin push-in portion cannot perform optimum charge / discharge control unless it accurately corresponds to the specification of the battery 22 accommodated therein. Accordingly, if each plane portion 42 is colored with a different color or written with a symbol, attention can be urged so as not to make a mistake in housing the battery 22, and erroneous accommodation of the battery 22 can be prevented. For example, in the case of the battery box B1, it is better to enter “Pb24V” or the like if the coloring is red or if a symbol is used.

  Next, the effect | action is demonstrated about the said structure. For example, a specific battery box B1 is selected from a plurality of types of battery boxes B1 to B4, and one side surface of the battery box B1 is attached to the battery box joint 6 of the uninterruptible power supply 21. When connected, only the push pin 1P of the push switch 1 is pushed by the flat portion 42 and the concave portion 43 formed as the identification portion 41 on the battery box 22 side (the push pins 2P to 4P are non-contact). The contact 1C of the push switch 1 is turned on or closed, and the contacts 2C to 4C of the other push switches 2 to 4 are turned off or opened. In this case, the uninterruptible power supply 21 side supplies the operating voltage Vcc to the charge / discharge control switching circuit 31 conforming to the specifications of the battery 22 corresponding to the battery 22 built in the battery box B1. Optimal charge / discharge control by the control switching circuit 31 is performed.

  In other words, each of the push switches 1 to 4 is turned on or off so that the uninterruptible power supply 21 can determine the specification of the battery 22 when a specific battery box B1 is mounted on the uninterruptible power supply 21. The identification unit 41 is uniquely configured to be turned off. Based on the states of the push switches 1 to 4, the charge / discharge control switching circuits 31 to 34 as the determination unit 35 determine the specifications of the battery 22 built in the battery box B1, respectively, and charge / discharge corresponding thereto. Only the control switching circuit 31 is operated. Therefore, if another battery box B2 is attached to the uninterruptible power supply 21, only the contact 2C of the push switch 2 is turned on, and the charge / discharge control switching circuit 32 corresponding to this is operated. Similarly, when the battery box B3 is mounted on the uninterruptible power supply 21, only the contact 3C of the push switch 3 is turned on, the corresponding charge / discharge control switching circuit 33 is operated, and the battery box B4 is not connected. When attached to the power failure power supply 21, only the contact 4C of the push switch 4 is turned on, and the charge / discharge control switching circuit 34 corresponding thereto is operated.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the battery automatic identification device incorporated in the uninterruptible power supply 21 and the battery boxes B1 to B4, the battery boxes B1 to B4 in which the batteries 22 having different specifications are respectively housed are described above. Different identification units 41 corresponding to the specifications of the battery 22 are provided, and a detection unit for detecting the identification unit 41 in the uninterruptible power supply 21 as a battery driving device to which the battery boxes B1 to B4 are attached and connected. Push switches 1 to 4 and a determination unit 35 that determines the specifications of the batteries 22 housed in the battery boxes B1 to B4 based on the detection results of the push switches 1 to 4 are provided.

  Further, the battery boxes B1 to B4 each accommodating batteries 22 having different specifications are selectively attached and connected, and the uninterruptible power supply 21 as a battery driving device driven by receiving power from the selected battery 22 In this embodiment, push switches 1 to 4 that detect different identification units 41 according to the specifications of the batteries 22 provided in the battery boxes B1 to B4, and the detection results of the push switches 1 to 4 And a determination unit 35 for determining the specifications of the battery 22 accommodated in the battery boxes B1 to B4.

  In any case, when a specific battery box B1 to B4 is selected and attached and connected to the uninterruptible power supply 21, the identification unit 41 uniquely provided in the battery box B1 to B4 according to the specifications of the battery 22 is used. The battery is included in the battery box B1 to B4 by the determination unit 35 based on the detection result by the push switches 1 to 4 recognized by the push switches 1 to 4 on the uninterruptible power supply 21 side. Identify 22 specifications. Therefore, the uninterruptible power supply 21 can automatically recognize the specification of the battery 22 that has been replaced, at the same time that the new battery boxes B1 to B4 are installed and connected.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the determination unit 35 determines the specification of the battery 22, the optimum charge / discharge control switching circuit 31 corresponding to the battery 22 operates, so that, for example, a battery box attached and connected to the uninterruptible power supply 21 The uninterruptible power supply 21 can automatically perform optimum charge / discharge control on the battery 22 in B1.

  In this embodiment, the push switches 1 to 4 are composed of a plurality of switches, and each of the push switches 1 to 4 is mounted when a specific battery box B1 is mounted on the uninterruptible power supply 21. For example, a flat surface portion 42 and a concave portion 43 are provided in the identification portion 41 so as to be turned on or off according to the specifications of the battery 22 incorporating the.

  In this way, each battery box B1 to B4 is provided with an identification unit that turns on or off each of the push switches 1 to 4 in advance, so that if the battery boxes B1 to B4 are attached to the battery drive device, The specification of the battery 22 can be automatically determined from the on / off states of the push switches 1 to 4.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention employing a connector system will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 4, 8 is a battery box connection part on the side of the uninterruptible power supply, and there is an input terminal 15 for supplying power for electrical connection with the battery 22 in the battery boxes B1 to B4. In addition to being provided, connector pins 11 to 14 serving as detection units are arranged side by side in pairs on the side of the input terminal 15. In this embodiment, four types of battery boxes B1 to B4 having different specifications of the built-in battery 22 are prepared.

  FIG. 3 shows a state in which the battery box B1 is attached and connected to the uninterruptible power supply 21. In the figure, the battery box B2 has a connector / pin insertion hole 55 for connecting to the connector 15 on the uninterruptible power supply 21 side, and also allows the uninterruptible power supply 21 side to identify the specifications of its own battery 22. And a pair of sockets 51 to 54 into which connector pins 11 to 14 provided in the battery box connection portion 8 are inserted. For example, in the case of the battery box B2, only the pair of sockets 52 corresponding to the connector pins 12 connected to the charge / discharge control switching circuit 32 is short-circuited inside the battery box B2 by the short-circuit connection line 52B. The pair of sockets 51, 53, 54 has no short-circuit connection line, and is open. In other words, the sockets 51 to 54 and the short-circuit connection lines 51B to 54B corresponding to the identification unit 41 here individually short-circuit or open the connector pins 11 to 14 which are contact pieces depending on the specifications of the battery 22. It is configured to do.

  In the case of the battery box B2, only the pair of sockets 51 corresponding to the connector pins 11 connected to the charge / discharge control switching circuit 31 are short-circuited by the short-circuit connection line 51B. Similarly, in the case of the battery box B3, only the pair of sockets 53 corresponding to the connector pins 13 connected to the charge / discharge control switching circuit 33 is short-circuited by the short-circuit connection line 53B. Only the pair of sockets 54 corresponding to the connector pins 14 connected to the discharge control switching circuit 34 are short-circuited by the short-circuit connection line 54B. Reference numeral 16 denotes a positioning protrusion that prevents the battery boxes B1 to B4 from being connected in the left-right reverse direction when the selected battery boxes B1 to B4 are connected.

  Next, the effect | action is demonstrated about the said structure. For example, a specific battery box B1 is selected from the battery boxes B1 to B4 prepared in plural kinds, and one side of the battery box B1 is attached to the battery box joint 8 of the uninterruptible power supply 21. When connected, only the pair of sockets 51 in the battery box B1 is short-circuited by the short-circuit connection line 51B, and the other sockets 52 to 54 are opened. Therefore, as shown in FIG. On the side, the operating voltage Vcc is supplied to the charge / discharge control switching circuit 31 conforming to the specifications of the battery 22 corresponding to the battery 22 built in the battery box B1. At this time, since the connector 15 on the uninterruptible power supply 21 side and the connector / pin insertion hole 55 of the selected battery box B1 are also connected to each other, optimum charge / discharge control by the charge / discharge control switching circuit 31 is performed. .

  That is, here, when a specific battery box B1 is attached to the uninterruptible power supply 21, for example, the connector pins 11 to 14 are connected to the battery so that the uninterruptible power supply 21 can determine the specifications of the battery 22. The identification unit 41 is uniquely configured to be short-circuited or opened according to the 22 specifications. Based on the short circuit or open state of the connector pins 11 to 14, the charge / discharge control switching circuits 31 to 34 as the determination unit 35 determine the specifications of the battery 22 incorporated in the battery box B1 and respond accordingly. Only the charge / discharge control switching circuit 31 is operated.

  As described above, also in the present embodiment, the battery boxes B1 to B4 in which the batteries 22 having different specifications are accommodated are provided with different identifying portions 41 according to the specifications of the battery 22, and the battery boxes B1 to B4. Are connected to the uninterruptible power supply 21 and connected to the connector pins 11 to 14 as detection units for detecting the identification unit 41, and the battery boxes B1 to B4 based on the detection results of the connector pins 11 to 14 And a discriminator 35 for discriminating the specifications of the battery 22 housed in the battery pack.

  In this way, when a specific battery box B1 to B4 is selected and attached to the uninterruptible power supply 21 and connected to the uninterruptible power supply 21, the characteristics of the identification unit 41 uniquely provided in the battery box B1 to B4 according to the specifications of the battery 22 Is recognized by the connector pins 11 to 14 on the uninterruptible power supply 21 side, and the determination unit 35 is built in the battery boxes B1 to B4 based on the detection result of the short circuit or the open by the connector pins 11 to 14 The specification of the battery 22 is determined. Therefore, the uninterruptible power supply 21 can automatically recognize the specification of the battery 22 that has been replaced, at the same time that the new battery boxes B1 to B4 are installed and connected.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the uninterruptible power supply 21 that is a battery drive device is configured with a plurality of contact pins as connector pins 11 to 14 as detection parts, and the uninterruptible power supply 21 and the battery boxes B1 to B4. The identification unit 41 is configured such that each of the connector pins 11 to 14 is short-circuited or opened according to the specifications of the battery 22 when one of the above is electrically connected.

  In this way, each battery box B1 to B4 is provided with an identification unit 41 that short-circuits or opens each of the connector pins 11 to 14 to an arbitrary line in advance, so that the battery boxes B1 to B4 are uninterrupted. When connected to the power supply device 21, it is possible to automatically determine the specifications of the battery 22 from the short-circuit / open state of each connector pin 11-14.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the above Example, It can implement with a various form based on the basic idea of this invention. For example, a photo coupler in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are combined may be provided as the identification unit and the detection unit. In the push switch system, a hole portion may be provided instead of the concave portion that is a non-contact portion with the push pin on the battery box side. In the connector system, a charging control switching circuit connector with low power in the control system may be provided separately from the battery power supply connector.

It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the battery automatic recognition apparatus in preferable 1st Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the battery automatic recognition apparatus in 1st Example same as the above. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the battery automatic recognition apparatus in preferable 2nd Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the battery automatic recognition apparatus in 2nd Example same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

1-4 Push switch (switch, detector)
B1-B4 battery box
11 to 14 Connector pin (contact piece, detector)
21 Uninterruptible power supply
22 battery
35 Discriminator
41 Identification part

Claims (4)

Detection that detects the identification unit in a battery driving device to which the battery box is mounted and connected, and a battery box in which a battery having a different specification is accommodated, and a different identification unit according to the specification of the battery is provided. An automatic battery identification device comprising: a determination unit configured to determine a specification of a battery stored in the battery box based on a detection result of the detection unit. The detection unit includes a plurality of switches, and when the battery box is mounted on the battery driving device, the identification is performed so that each of the switches is turned on or off according to the specification of the battery. The battery automatic identification device according to claim 1, wherein the battery automatic identification device is configured. A plurality of contact pieces in the battery drive device are configured as the detection unit, and when the battery drive device and the battery box are electrically connected, each of the contact pieces corresponds to the specifications of the battery. The automatic battery identification device according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit is configured to be short-circuited or opened. In a battery drive device that is selectively connected and connected to a battery box that accommodates batteries with different specifications and is powered by the battery, according to the specifications of the battery provided in the battery box A battery drive apparatus comprising: a detection unit that detects a different identification unit; and a determination unit that determines a specification of a battery stored in the battery box based on a detection result of the detection unit.

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