JP2006149006A - Charger equipped with voice function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charger equipped with a voice function which can report the information about charge such as charge completion, fault, etc. to the user accurately and that in detail, and also can prevent an error or suffering a burglary without fail. <P>SOLUTION: In the charger, where an outer frame is provided with a battery mount for mounting a detachable battery pack 24 and a positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal to contact with each terminal of a positive electrode and a negative electrode provided in the above battery pack 24 are electrically connected with each other and a board assembly mounting a charge control circuit 19 for performing charge control such as keeping a charge current constant, detecting its full charge and stopping the charge, etc. is stored in the above outer frame, a voice function circuit 8, which outputs a specified audio signal registered in advance by a manufacturer at the specified time such as the stoppage of charge, or the like, is added to the above charge control circuit 19, and also a speed output unit 7 such as a speaker or the like, which outputs an audio signal from the voice function circuit 8, is attached to the above outer frame. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery charger with an utterance function having a function of transmitting various information by voice in addition to information on charging to a user.

  A conventional charger will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  4 is a top view of a conventional charger, FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the charger, and FIG. 6 is a circuit configuration diagram of the charger. In the charger 1 shown in FIG. A board assembly 2 is housed in an upper outer frame 3 and a lower outer frame 4 having a mounting portion 5. The board assembly 2 includes a microcomputer 17 that performs various controls constituting a charging circuit, and a shunt that detects a charging current. A current detecting unit 18 such as a resistor, a charging current control circuit 19 that keeps the charging current constant, and a semiconductor 20 such as an FET are mounted. The substrate assembly 2 includes a positive electrode terminal 25, a negative electrode terminal 26 of the battery pack 24, and a battery temperature detection terminal 27 connected to a battery cell temperature detection element 28 such as a thermistor built in the battery pack 24. A positive electrode terminal 21, a negative electrode terminal 22, and a battery temperature detection terminal 23 that are in contact with each other are mounted, and a buzzer 29 that informs the user of the end of charging, abnormality of the charger 1 or the battery pack 24, and the like is mounted.

  Next, the charging operation will be described.

  When the battery pack 24 is inserted into the battery mounting portion 5 of the charger 1, the positive terminal 25, the negative terminal 26, and the battery temperature detection terminal 27 of the battery pack 24 are the positive terminal 21, negative terminal 22, and battery temperature detection of the charger 1. Charging starts when each terminal 23 is contacted. When the charging current flows, the microcomputer 17 captures the current signal detected by the current detector 18, and the microcomputer 17 outputs a signal to the charging current control circuit 19 to control the ON time and OFF time of the semiconductor 20. Charge while keeping the charging current constant.

  During charging, the microcomputer 17 always monitors the battery cell temperature based on the battery voltage and a signal from the battery cell temperature detecting element 28, and is charged when the battery voltage or the battery temperature reaches a predetermined value due to full charge. Is stopped, and the buzzer 29 is instructed to sound a continuous sound of about 6 seconds “Peep” to inform the user of the end of charging.

  Further, when the charger 1 or the battery pack 24 breaks down or the contact of the charger 1 or the battery pack 24 with dust becomes poor, the microcomputer 17 sounds a warning sound “beep” on the buzzer 29. Issue a command to inform the user of the abnormality.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-285023

  As described above, in the conventional charger, a buzzer is used as a method of notifying the user of the end of charging or the abnormality of the charger or the battery pack. However, the buzzer can only produce two types of sounds, continuous sound and intermittent sound. Information cannot be communicated to the user. Also, since the sound type is set by the manufacturer in advance, if multiple users use chargers with the same type of buzzer at the same work site, it is not possible to distinguish which charger is ringing. It was.

  Also, if multiple users have the same charger at the same work site, they cannot be distinguished from those of others, and there is a possibility that they will take it home or be stolen.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to convey information on charging such as completion of charging or failure to the user accurately and in detail, and to make a voice that can reliably prevent mistakes and theft It is to provide a charger with a function.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a battery mounting portion for mounting a detachable battery pack is provided on the outer frame, and contacts each of the positive and negative terminals provided on the battery pack. A board assembly equipped with a charge control circuit that performs charge control such as maintaining the charging current constant or stopping charging by detecting a full charge is electrically connected to the outer frame. In a battery charger that is housed, a voice function circuit that outputs a predetermined voice signal registered in advance by a manufacturer at a predetermined time such as when charging is stopped is added to the charge control circuit, and a voice signal is output from the voice function circuit. An audio output device such as a speaker that outputs a signal is attached to the outer frame.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein a sound capturing device for capturing sound, such as a microphone, is attached to the outer frame, and a user's favorite sound is recorded from the sound capturing device. A function capable of outputting at a given time is added to the utterance function circuit.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, a time setting device such as a timer is provided in the utterance function circuit so that a user can arbitrarily set a sound output time.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a volume controller for adjusting an audio signal output from the utterance function circuit to an arbitrary volume is provided.

  According to the present invention, since a function that allows the user to record voice and reproduce it at any time is added to the charge control circuit, the user can know information related to charging such as completion of charging or charger failure accurately and in detail by voice. Can do. If the user sets time and voice in advance, voice information can be provided at a predetermined time.

  In addition, even if multiple users are using the same charger at the work site, it is possible to distinguish the charger based on arbitrarily set audio recordings, and it is possible to accurately know information related to charging of the own charger. .

  Furthermore, if the user's name is recorded, it will not be mistaken for another person's charger, and theft will be prevented.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a top view of the voice function charger according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the voice function charger, and FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of the voice function charger.

  First, the structure of the charger with a speech function (hereinafter simply referred to as “charger”) 1 according to the present invention will be described.

  The charger 1 includes a board assembly 2 and an upper outer frame 3 and a lower outer frame 4 that store the board assembly 2. The upper / outer frame 3 is provided with a battery mounting portion 5 for mounting the battery pack 24, and a sound capturing device 6 such as a microphone for capturing sound, and a sound recording instruction for recording sound coming from the sound capturing device 6. A switch 11, a display board 9 such as a liquid crystal display for displaying time, a time adjustment switch 10 for adjusting the time displayed on the display board 9, a selection switch 12 and a decision switch 13 for setting the timing for outputting the recorded sound, and a timer setting A switch 14, a user confirmation switch 15 for outputting a registered user name, a volume adjustment volume 16 for adjusting the volume of output sound, and an audio output device 7 such as a speaker are attached.

  The board assembly 2 includes a voice function circuit 8 for recording and outputting a sound at a predetermined time, a microcomputer 17 for performing each control, a current detection unit 18 for detecting a charging current, and a charging current control circuit for keeping the charging current constant. 19, a semiconductor 20 such as an FET, a positive terminal 21, a negative terminal 22, and a battery temperature detection terminal 23 are mounted.

  Next, the operation of the charger 1 will be described.

  First, an utterance function example will be described.

  Here, the utterance function is a function that allows the user to record his / her voice and output it at an arbitrary time, and is a function to reproduce various information registered by the user in addition to information related to charging. It also has a function that allows the user to record and confirm his / her name.

  Next, a setting method will be described.

  When the recording switch 11 is turned on while the charger 1 is turned on, the microcomputer 17 issues a recording command to the utterance function circuit 8 and enters the voice capturing device 6 while the recording switch 11 is on. The voice is recorded in the voice function circuit 8.

  Next, when the recording switch 11 is turned OFF, the recording is completed and the output time is displayed on the display panel 9, and an arbitrary one can be selected from the displayed output times. "Before charging" is displayed first, and when the selection switch 12 is pressed in sequence, "Charging completed"-> "When charger (battery pack) is abnormal"-> "Timer setting"-> "Initial setting"-> "Name registration" is displayed Is switched and the desired time is selected by pressing the decision switch 13.

In the timer setting, the display board 9 has a clock and timer function, and timer setting is also possible. For example, if you set “00:00. Let ’s have lunch” at 0:00 in the daytime,
1. While pressing the recording switch 11, “0 o'clock. Let's have lunch” is recorded toward the voice capturing device 6.

  2. Press the selection switch 12 three times to display “TIMER SET”.

  3. The timer setting switch 14 is pressed to set PM00: 00.

4). Press the decision switch 13.
It can be set by the procedure. In addition, when the selection switch 12 is pressed four times as described above, an initial setting is made. This is a case where a manufacturer preset one is selected. For example, as an initial setting of the manufacturer, it is necessary for the user to arbitrarily set, for example, “Electricity has been turned on” when the outlet is plugged into the power supply, and “Charging is finished” when the charging is completed. Can be used when there is no.

  When registering the user's name, record the name toward the voice capturing device 6 while pressing the recording switch 11, and then press the selection switch 12 to switch to "name registration" and press the decision switch 13. sign up. When outputting the user name, when the user confirmation switch 15 is pressed, a command is output from the microcomputer 17 to the utterance function circuit 8, and the user name is output to confirm the owner.

  The contents once set are stored in the utterance function circuit 8 until resetting, and therefore need not be set every time the power is turned on.

  Next, an example in which charging is actually performed using the speech function will be described.

First, the following contents are set according to the above procedure. Further, the volume is adjusted to an appropriate level by turning the volume adjustment volume 16. When the volume adjustment volume 16 is turned clockwise, the volume is increased, and when it is turned counterclockwise, the volume is decreased.
(Setting contents):
1. When plugged in: “Electricity is on.”
2. When charging is finished: “Charging is finished.”
3. Noon 00:00: “It is 0:00. Lunch.”
4). Evening 5:00: “It's 5 o'clock. Today's work is over.”
5. User name registration: Takeo Suzuki First of all, when the power plug is inserted into the outlet, the voice output unit 7 outputs a voice saying “Electricity has been turned on”. Next, when the battery pack 24 is inserted into the battery mounting part 5 of the charger 1, charging is started and a charging current flows. When the charging progresses and the charging is completed and the charging is completed, the voice output unit 7 outputs a sound “charging is finished”.

  Also, at noon 0:00, a voice message “It is 0:00. It is lunch.” Is output from the audio output device 7 to inform the user of noon. Also, at 5:00 in the evening, a voice message “It is 5 o'clock. Today's work is over.” Is output from the audio output device 7 to notify the user of the end of working hours.

  Also, when returning home, work associates also have the same charger, and it is no longer known who the person belongs to. When the user confirmation switch 15 is pressed and the owner is confirmed, “Takeo Suzuki” is output, so that Can be confirmed.

It is a top view of the charger with a generating function concerning the present invention. It is a sectional side view of the charger with a generating function concerning the present invention. It is a circuit block diagram of the charger with a generating function concerning the present invention. It is a top view of the conventional charger. It is a sectional side view of the conventional charger. It is a circuit block diagram of the conventional charger.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Charger 2 Board assembly 3 Upper outer frame 4 Lower outer frame 5 Battery mounting part 6 Audio | voice capture device 7 Audio | voice output device 8 Speech function circuit 9 Display panel 10 Time adjustment switch 11 Recording switch 12 Selection switch 13 Decision switch 14 Timer setting Switch 15 User confirmation switch 16 Volume adjustment volume 17 Microcomputer 18 Current detector 19 Charging current control circuit 20 Semiconductor 21 Positive electrode terminal 22 Negative electrode terminal 23 Battery temperature detection terminal 24 Battery pack 25 Positive electrode terminal 26 Negative electrode terminal 27 Battery temperature detection terminal 28 Battery cell Temperature detection element 29 Buzzer

Claims (4)

A battery mounting portion for mounting a detachable battery pack is provided on the outer frame, and a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal that are in contact with each of the positive electrode and negative electrode terminals provided in the battery pack are electrically connected, and charging current In a charger comprising a board assembly that is equipped with a charge control circuit that performs charge control such as maintaining a constant charge or detecting a full charge to stop charging, in the outer frame,
A voice function circuit that outputs a predetermined voice signal registered in advance by a manufacturer at a predetermined time such as when charging is stopped is added to the charge control circuit, and a voice output from a speaker or the like that outputs a voice signal from the voice function circuit A charger with an utterance function, wherein a charger is attached to the outer frame.   A voice capturing device that captures sound such as a microphone is attached to the outer frame, and a function that allows a user to record a desired sound from the sound capturing device and output it at any time is added to the speech function circuit. The charger with a speech function according to claim 1.   The charger with a voice function according to claim 2, wherein a time setting device such as a timer is provided in the voice function circuit so that the user can arbitrarily set the voice output time.   The charger with a voice function according to claim 1, further comprising a volume controller for adjusting an audio signal output from the voice function circuit to an arbitrary volume.

Images