JP2006032065A - Device for regenerating secondary battery - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for regenerating different kinds of secondary batteries, which is capable of removing reactive substance on an electrode surely and easily. <P>SOLUTION: The device for regenerating secondary batteries comprises: a pulse generation circuit 1 that outputs a pulse the period and width of which is adjusted by changing resistance values of variable resistances VR1, VR2; and a MOSFET Tr1 that is driven by pulse signals output from the pulse generation circuit 1. A pulse applying circuit 2 is provided so that it applies DC pulses to a secondary battery B at the time of ON of the MOSFET Tr1. Wherein a peak voltage of DC pulses applied to the secondary battery B is adjusted by changing a resistance value of a variable resistance VR3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a secondary battery regeneration device for regenerating a degraded secondary battery.

Conventionally, lead-acid batteries have been used as power sources for vehicles such as trains and electric forklifts. FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of the lead storage battery B, in which lead dioxide (PbO ₂ ) is used for the positive electrode 30, lead (Pb) is used for the negative electrode 31, and dilute sulfuric acid (H ₂ SO ₄ ) is used for the electrolytic solution 32.

When such a lead storage battery is used for a long time, sulfation is generated on the surfaces of the positive electrode 30 and the negative electrode 31 by repeated charge and discharge. This sulfation is a crystal of lead sulfate (PbSO ₄ ), and since it does not have electrical conductivity and ionic conductivity, it leads to a decrease in the capacity of the lead storage battery B, and also promotes corrosion of the electrode plate lattice. Therefore, the life of the lead storage battery B has become a factor. And the lead storage battery B used for several years has a capacity | capacitance reduced remarkably by adhesion of sulfation, and it was judged that it was the lifetime, and was discarded.

By the way, in recent years, demands for effective use of resources and reduction of garbage are increasing, and an apparatus for regenerating the lead storage battery B by removing sulfation attached to the electrode plate of the lead storage battery B is provided. In this type of regenerator, the sulfation adhering to the electrode plate is molecularly decomposed by applying a DC pulse of a predetermined voltage to the electrode plate of the lead storage battery B, and the carbon suspension of the lead storage battery B The anode of the lead storage battery was electrochemically doped and activated by applying a DC voltage to the electrolytic solution (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-40537 A

  However, the degree of sulfation attached to the electrode plate of the lead-acid battery B varies depending on the usage state of the battery, and the size of the electrode plate varies depending on the type of the lead-acid battery B (depending on the capacity). Since the degree of sulfation varies depending on the regenerative apparatus, the regenerative apparatus that applies a DC pulse of a constant voltage cannot cope with all lead storage batteries, and the regenerative rate is as low as about 30%. In addition, the degree of sulfation varies depending on the type of lead-acid battery B, and the voltage value of the direct-current pulse to be applied varies accordingly. However, when the voltage value of the direct-current pulse is fixed, it is optimal for each type of lead-acid battery B. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a reproducing apparatus that applies a DC pulse having a proper voltage value, and there is a problem that the types of reproducing apparatuses increase. In addition to the step of applying a direct current pulse, a step of applying a direct current voltage by adding a carbon suspension to the electrolyte of the lead storage battery B is required, and a carbon suspension to be added is additionally required. The work was troublesome.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a secondary battery regeneration device that can reliably and easily remove the regeneration process of different types of secondary batteries. There is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a DC pulse applying means for applying a DC pulse between the electrodes of the secondary battery, and removing deposits attached to the electrodes by applying the DC pulse between the electrodes. The secondary battery regeneration device includes a period adjusting unit that adjusts the cycle of the DC pulse, a pulse width adjusting unit that adjusts the pulse width of the DC pulse, and a peak value adjusting unit that adjusts the peak value of the DC pulse. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, the cycle adjusting means and the pulse width adjustment are performed while the operator performing the regeneration operation removes the deposits attached to the electrodes while the DC pulse is applied between the electrodes of the secondary battery. DC pulse period, pulse width, and peak value can be adjusted by using the means and the peak value adjusting means. The voltage can be applied between the electrodes of the secondary battery, and the regeneration rate of the secondary battery can be increased. Furthermore, the size of the electrode itself and the amount of deposits adhering to the electrode differ depending on the rated voltage and capacity of the secondary battery to be regenerated, but by adjusting the period, pulse width, and peak value of the DC pulse, There is an effect that it can easily cope with different types of secondary batteries.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The secondary battery regeneration device of the present embodiment is used for regeneration of a secondary battery B such as a lead storage battery or an alkaline storage battery. FIG. 1 is an overall circuit diagram, and FIG. 2 is a principal circuit diagram. Show.

  In this apparatus, a reproduction circuit section A including a pulse generation circuit 1, a pulse application circuit 2, a current display circuit 3, and a power supply circuit 4, a fan 5, and a fan power supply 6 are housed in a housing. The pulse generating circuit 1 and the pulse applying circuit 2 constitute a DC pulse applying means. In FIG. 1, only one channel of the reproduction circuit unit A is shown. However, in order to perform the reproduction process by simultaneously connecting six secondary batteries B to the apparatus, the reproduction circuit unit A has six channels. The reproduction circuit section A is housed.

  The power supply circuit 4 includes a DC power supply 4a of DC6V5A that supplies power to the pulse generation circuit 1, and a DC power supply 4b of DC24V10A that supplies power to the pulse application circuit 2, and each of the DC power supplies 4a and 4b It is connected to a commercial power supply via the power switch SW0. The pilot lamp PL is connected to the commercial power supply via the power switch SW0 and the resistor R0, and the power supply to the regeneration circuit unit A of each system is turned on / off according to the on / off of the power switch SW0. The pilot lamp PL is turned on / off.

  FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the pulse generation circuit 1, which includes a pulse generation unit 1a, a pulse width adjustment unit 1b, and a power supply unit 1c.

  The pulse generator 1a is a known astable multivibrator using C-MOS inverters G1, G2, G3, resistors R1, R2, a variable resistor VR1 connected via a connector CN1, and capacitors C1, C2. A series circuit of a capacitor C3 and a resistor R3 is connected between the output terminals (between the connection point of the inverters G1 and G2 and the circuit ground). Here, the cycle T of the output pulse S1 output from the pulse generator 1a is determined by the combined resistance value of the resistor R2 and the variable resistor VR1 and the capacitance value of the capacitor C2, and the variable resistor VR1 as the cycle adjusting means. The period T can be changed by changing the resistance value. FIGS. 7A to 7D are waveform diagrams of DC pulses applied to the secondary battery B. By changing the resistance value of the variable resistor VR1, the cycle T of the DC pulses is 41 μS (FIG. 7A). )), 57 μS (FIG. (B)), 33 μS (FIG. (C)), and 28 μS (FIG. (D)). The adjustment range of the frequency of the direct current pulse (that is, the period T) may be appropriately set according to the type and capacity of the secondary battery B to be regenerated, and by setting circuit constants of the resistor R2, the variable resistor VR1, and the capacitor C2, for example, It is preferable that the frequency f can be adjusted in the range of 0 Hz <f ≦ 300 kHz, and the period T can be adjusted in the range of 3.3 μS or more. The lower limit value of the frequency is an appropriate value larger than 0, and is preferably set to a value as small as possible within the range that can be realized by setting circuit constants.

  The pulse width adjusting unit 1b includes a one-shot multivibrator IC1, a resistor R4, a variable resistor VR2 connected via a connector CN2, a capacitor C4, and a C- connected to the output terminal of the one-shot multivibrator IC1. The MOS inverter G4 is short-circuited between the input terminals and the output terminals, and the C-MOS inverters G5 to G8 whose input terminals are connected to the output terminals of the inverter G4, and the output terminals of the C-MOS inverters G5 to G8 And a resistor R5 connected to the circuit ground, and a pulse signal generated between both ends of the resistor R5 is output to the pulse applying circuit 2 via the connector CN3. Here, when the pulse signal S1 is input from the pulse generation circuit 1a to the one-shot multivibrator IC1 via the capacitor C3, the pulse width W from the output end of the one-shot multivibrator IC1 is triggered by the rise of the pulse signal S1. Is output as a pulse signal S2. Here, the pulse width W of the pulse signal S2 is determined by the combined resistance value of the resistor R4 and the variable resistor VR2 connected to the adjustment terminal of the one-shot multivibrator IC1 and the capacitance of the capacitor C4, and pulse width adjusting means. The pulse width W can be changed by changing the resistance value of the variable resistor VR2. FIGS. 8A to 8D are waveform diagrams of DC pulses applied to the secondary battery B. By changing the resistance value of the variable resistor VR2, the pulse width W is set to 1 μS (FIG. 8A). It can be changed to 2 μS (FIG. (B)), 4 μS (FIG. (C)), 10 μS (FIG. (D)). Note that the pulse width of the DC pulse S2 may be set as appropriate according to the type and capacity of the secondary battery B to be regenerated, and the pulse width W may be set, for example, by setting the circuit constants of the resistor R4, the variable resistor VR2, and the capacitor C4. It is preferable that adjustment is possible in the range of 0 <W ≦ 15 μS. The lower limit value of the pulse width W is an appropriate value larger than 0, and is preferably set to a value as small as possible within a range that can be realized by setting circuit constants.

  The power supply unit 1c also includes a DC-DC converter IC2 that converts a DC voltage input from the DC power supply 4a via the connector CN4 into a DC voltage necessary for the operation of the pulse generation unit 1a and the pulse width adjustment unit 1b. The output voltage of the DC-DC converter IC2 is supplied to the current display circuit 3 via the connector CN5. A power switch SW1 is electrically connected between the output terminals of the DC power supply 4a and the connector CN4. By turning on / off the power switch SW1, the power supply to the power supply unit 1c is turned on / off. Is done. Further, a pilot lamp PL1 is connected between both ends of the connector CN4 via a resistor R5, and the pilot lamp PL1 is turned on or off according to the on / off of the power switch SW1, and the energization state to the power supply unit 1c is displayed. It is supposed to be.

  On the other hand, the pulse application circuit 2 includes a three-terminal regulator IC3 having an input terminal connected to the positive electrode of the DC power supply 4b and a ground terminal connected to the negative electrode of the DC power supply 4b via the resistor R7, and between both ends of the resistor R7. Are connected in parallel to each other, a resistor R6 connected between the output terminal of the three-terminal regulator IC3 and the ground terminal, and one end of the output terminal of the three-terminal regulator IC3 via a resistor R8 for current detection. A terminal P1 to which the positive electrode of the secondary battery B is connected to the other end side of the field effect transistor Tr1, and a fuse F and a diode to the negative electrode of the DC power supply 4b. A terminal P2 to which the negative electrode of the secondary battery B is connected is electrically connected via D1. Here, when the power switch SW0 is turned on, commercial power is supplied to the DC power supply 4b via the power switch SW0, and power is supplied from the DC power supply 4b to the pulse applying circuit 2. When the pulse signal S2 is input to the gate of the transistor Tr1 from the pulse width adjusting unit 1b of the pulse generation circuit 1, the transistor Tr1 is turned on / off. When the transistor Tr1 is turned on, the three-terminal regulator IC3 → the resistor R8 → the transistor Tr1 A DC pulse S3 having a period and a pulse width equal to those of the pulse signal S2 is applied through a path of terminal P1, secondary battery B, terminal P2, fuse F, and three-terminal regulator IC3. The peak value (current and voltage) of the DC pulse S3 is determined by the combined resistance of the resistor R7 and the variable resistor VR3 connected between the ground terminal of the three-terminal regulator IC3 and the circuit ground, and serves as a peak value adjusting means. By changing the resistance value of the variable resistor VR3, the peak value (current and voltage) of the DC pulse S3 can be changed. FIGS. 7A, 7C and 7D are waveform diagrams of DC pulses applied to the secondary battery B, and the peak voltage A of the DC pulse is changed to 150 mV by changing the resistance value of the variable resistor VR3. (A)), 115 mV (FIG. (C)), 170 mV (FIG. (D)). The peak value A of the DC pulse S3 may be appropriately set according to the type and capacity of the secondary battery B to be reproduced. For example, the peak voltage A of the DC pulse is set by setting the circuit constants of the resistor R7 and the variable resistor VR3. It is preferable that adjustment is possible in the range of 0 <A ≦ 2V, and the peak current is adjustable in the range of 0 to 3A. Note that the lower limit value of the peak voltage A and the lower limit value of the peak current of the DC pulse are appropriate values larger than 0, and are preferably set as small as possible within a range that can be realized by setting circuit constants.

  The current display circuit 3 includes a current detection resistor R8 connected between the output terminal of the three-terminal regulator IC3 and the transistor Tr1, and an adjustment resistor connected between both ends of the resistor R8 via a diode D2. A panel meter that detects the current value of the direct current pulse S3 from the voltage between the one end side and the intermediate terminal of the variable resistor VR4, and displays it on the display unit composed of an LED or an LCD, and a parallel circuit composed of the variable resistor VR4 and the capacitor C5. 15, the panel meter 15 operates by receiving power supply from the power supply unit 1 c of the panel generation circuit 1.

  Next, the structure of the secondary battery regeneration device will be described with reference to FIGS. The housing 10 of the secondary battery regenerator has a horizontally long rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a plurality of the regenerative circuit portions A (for example, 6 sets) are housed in the housing 10, and the fan 5, A fan power source 6 and the like are accommodated. On the front panel of the housing 10, the knob 11 of the power switch SW1 made of a toggle switch corresponding to each set of the reproduction circuit unit A and the rotation of the variable resistors VR1, VR2 and VR3 made of rotary variable resistors are provided. The rotary knobs 12, 13, and 14 that are placed on the child and the display unit of the panel meter 15 that displays the current value are arranged in six sets side by side. On the back surface of the housing 10, output terminals P1 and P2 and fuses F are arranged side by side in correspondence with each set of the reproduction circuit portion A for six sets. A handle 16 is attached to the side surface of the housing 10. In FIG. 1, a part surrounded by a dotted line FP indicates a part disposed on the front panel, and a part surrounded by a dotted line RP indicates a part disposed on the back panel. 3 and 4, the pilot lamps PL and PL1 are omitted, but the pilot lamps PL and PL1 are arranged at positions that can be seen from the outside.

  FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the rack 20 that houses the secondary battery regeneration device. The rack 20 is provided with three-level shelf plates 21, and each of the shelf plates 21 has the above-described secondary battery regeneration device and A charging device (not shown) to be described later for charging the battery B is mounted. A caster 23 is attached to the leg portion 22 of the rack 20, and the work can be performed by moving the rack 20 to a desired location by rolling the caster 23.

  Next, a procedure for regenerating a secondary battery using the secondary battery regeneration device will be described with reference to FIG. When a secondary battery having a reduced capacity is brought in, first, an appearance inspection is performed to inspect for mechanical damage, and dust attached during use is cleaned (step S10). Next, in order to check the current state of the secondary battery, the secondary battery is charged by the charging device (step S11), and the specific gravity, voltage, dischargeable time, CCA, etc. for each cell are inspected. Then, based on these inspection results, the operator determines what period, pulse width, and peak voltage of the direct current pulse should be applied. After connecting the battery B and adjusting the period, pulse width, and peak voltage of the DC pulse to desired values using the rotary knobs 12, 13, and 14 on the front surface of the casing 10, the DC pulse was applied and adhered to the electrode. The sulfation is molecularly decomposed (step S12). Thereafter, the secondary battery B is allowed to stand for about 60 minutes (step S13) and discharged (step S14), thereby measuring the voltage value with respect to the discharge time rate (step S15). Furthermore, the secondary battery B is charged, the voltage value and specific gravity at that time are measured (step S16), and pass / fail judgment is performed based on these results. If the result is good, the secondary battery B is cleaned and various performance inspections are performed (step S17), and an inspection result table is attached and delivered (step S18). If the determination result in step S16 is bad, the process returns to step S12, the above process is repeated, and the sulfation removal process is performed again.

  Although the regeneration process of the secondary battery B is performed by the method as described above, the adherence state of the sulfation differs depending on the difference in capacity and usage of the secondary battery B, so that each secondary battery B is different. The period, pulse width, and peak value of the DC pulse are preferably changed. In this embodiment, the period, pulse width, and peak value of the DC pulse are provided by providing the period adjusting means, the pulse width adjusting means, and the peak value adjusting means. (Peak voltage, peak current) can be adjusted to desired values so that each secondary battery B can be handled.

  The adjustment range of the cycle, pulse width, and peak voltage of the DC pulse is determined to some extent by the capacity of the secondary battery B. For example, in the case of a 12V lead-acid battery, the DC pulse has a small capacity of 26A. Preferably, the voltage is 350 mV to 450 mV, the period is 20 kHz to 22 kHz, and the pulse width is about 10 μS. In the case of a medium type with a capacity of 85 A, the DC pulse voltage is 450 mV to 500 mV, the period is 20 kHz to 25 kHz, and the pulse width. Is preferably set to a value of around 10 μS. Further, in the case of a large-sized one having a capacity of 155 A, the DC pulse voltage is preferably set to 450 mV to 500 mV, the period is set to 20 kHz to 25 kHz, and the pulse width is set to a value of about 10 μS. In the case of a 2V or 6V lead-acid battery, the voltage of the DC pulse may be adjusted in the range of 400 mV to 700 mV, the period of 20 kHz to 25 kHz, and the pulse width in the range of about 10 μS. The secondary battery regeneration device of this embodiment is used. For example, it is possible to perform regeneration processing of secondary batteries having different voltages and capacities with a single secondary battery regeneration device.

In the above description, the regeneration process of the lead storage battery using the present embodiment has been described. However, if the secondary battery regeneration apparatus of the present embodiment is used, a secondary battery (alkaline storage battery) that uses an alkaline solution as an electrolyte is used. It is also possible to perform the reproduction process. For example, in the case of an iron-nickel storage battery using Fe as the negative electrode active material, NiOOH as the positive electrode active material, and KOH aqueous solution as the electrolyte, Fe (OH) ₂ and Ni (OH) ₂ are used for the electrode after long-term use. However, the capacity of the storage battery is reduced, and the secondary battery regeneration device is used to regenerate the alkaline storage battery. However, there is a problem that the battery spontaneously discharges in a short time and the electrolyte solution evaporates because the alkaline storage battery has heat. Therefore, the present inventors have found that it is sufficient to apply a small current (about 3 A) for a long time of about 20 hours using the above secondary battery regeneration device so that the alkaline storage battery does not have heat during charging. In the same manner as described above, by appropriately adjusting the cycle, pulse width, and peak voltage of the DC pulse, it is possible to perform regeneration processing of both the lead storage battery and the alkaline storage battery by one secondary battery regeneration device.

It is a whole circuit diagram of the rechargeable battery reproducing device of this embodiment. It is a principal part circuit diagram same as the above. It is an external appearance perspective view same as the above. The same as above, (a) is a front view, (b) is a rear view. It is an external appearance perspective view of the rack which mounts the same. It is a flowchart explaining the reproduction | regeneration processing method using the same as the above. (A)-(d) is a wave form diagram of a DC pulse. (A)-(d) is a wave form diagram of a DC pulse. It is a schematic block diagram of a lead storage battery.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pulse generation circuit 2 Pulse application circuit Tr1 Field effect transistor VR1 Variable resistance VR2 Variable resistance VR3 Variable resistance B Secondary battery

Claims (1)

In a secondary battery regeneration apparatus, comprising a DC pulse applying means for applying a DC pulse between electrodes of a secondary battery, and removing deposits attached to the electrodes by applying a DC pulse between the electrodes. A secondary comprising: a period adjusting means for adjusting a pulse period; a pulse width adjusting means for adjusting a pulse width of the DC pulse; and a peak value adjusting means for adjusting a peak value of the DC pulse. Battery regenerator.

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