JP2007274819A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus for raising power when an external optional apparatus is added with a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: A capacitor 202 is arranged on an external optional apparatus 200-side. The capacitor 202 on the optional apparatus 200-side is charged through a power converter 101 except for the time when the power converter 101 is operated at maximum power. Thus, it is not necessary to mount a large and expensive private power circuit on the optional apparatus 200-side without raising power capacity in adding the optional apparatus 200. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to a method of supplying power to an optional device that can be retrofitted to the electronic device body.

  In recent electronic devices, in order to realize the functions required by users at lower cost, the main body of electronic devices (hereinafter referred to as the device main body) with the minimum necessary functions and options that can be selected by the user after installation The configuration of an optional device having the above has become common.

  When these optional devices are retrofitted, it is naturally necessary to supply power for the optional devices. Conventionally, however, the following two methods have mainly been used.

  5 and 6 are block diagrams of power supply configurations of the apparatus main body and the optional apparatus according to the conventional example.

  In FIG. 5, a power converter 501 as a power source mounted on the apparatus main body 500 secures a capacity that can cover the power capacity of the optional apparatus 600 that may be mounted. For this reason, power supply to the optional device 600 is performed from the power converter 501 that is a main body power supply.

  In this case, since there is no need to mount a power source on the optional device 600, the optional device 600 can be designed to be small and low cost. However, since it is necessary to provide the power converter 501 that is the main body power supply with the power capacity equivalent to the optional device 600, the device main body 500 may be increased in cost and size.

  For this reason, there is a risk that the user who does not need the optional device 600 may increase the size and price.

  Next, a conventional example of FIG. 6 will be described.

  In FIG. 6, an optional power converter 603 as a dedicated power source is provided in the option device 600, and the power consumed by the option device 600 itself can be covered by itself.

  In this case, the power converter 501 (main body power converter 501 in FIG. 6) that is a power source mounted on the apparatus main body 500 does not need to supply the power of the additional optional apparatus 600. You should secure the capacity of. For this reason, when viewed from the apparatus main body 500, it can be said that low cost and space saving are optimally realized.

  On the other hand, when viewed from the option device 600 side, the price for mounting the optional power converter 603 as a power supply increases, and the size may increase accordingly. In some cases, the power supply for the optional device 600 is provided with an outlet. In this case, there is a possibility that problems such as complicated wiring may occur for the user.

In order to alleviate the above problems, for example, in Patent Document 1, a battery is provided between a load and a power supply. A method of supplying power from a power source has been proposed.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-267641

  However, each of the control methods described above has the following problems.

  -It is necessary to mount a large-capacity power supply on the main unit from the beginning so that power can be supplied to optional devices that are expected to be installed.

  ・ Providing a dedicated power supply for the optional equipment to be added causes problems in cost and installation space.

  ・ Even if the battery is mounted on the optional device side, it is necessary to allow the main power supply to have enough power margin for charging.

  Also in the method described in Patent Document 1, the power source on the apparatus main body side must have a margin for the power consumed during charging, and if the power consumption increases, it is necessary to supply power from the power source after all. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an electronic device that does not need to increase the capacity of a main body power supply even when an optional device is retrofitted, and does not require a large power source to be mounted on the optional device side. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electronic device according to the present invention has the following configuration.

  (1) An electronic apparatus including a main unit and an optional device connected to the main unit, wherein the main unit converts power from a commercial power source into power that can be supplied to a load in the main unit. Conversion means, and control means for monitoring and controlling the operation and power supply state of the main unit, and the optional device includes power storage means, voltage monitoring means for monitoring the voltage of the power storage means, and the power storage means. Charging means for charging the power storage means, charge / discharge switching means for switching between a charge mode for charging the power storage means and a discharge mode for discharging the power storage means, and the control means includes: Control to switch the charge / discharge switching means to the charge mode and charge the power storage means by the charging means, avoiding the time when the maximum power is being output to the load. When the voltage monitoring means determines that the power storage means is operable, the charge / discharge switching means is switched to the discharge mode, and the power storage means controls to supply power to the option device. machine.

  (2) The electronic apparatus according to (1), wherein the control unit detects an output current of the power conversion unit with a monitor.

  (3) In the electronic device according to (1), the control unit controls charging of the power storage unit according to an operation mode of the electronic device.

  (4) An electronic device including a main body device and an optional device connected to the main body device, wherein the main body device converts electric power from a commercial power source into electric power that can be supplied to a load in the main body device. Power conversion means, first communication means, and first control means for monitoring and controlling the operation and power supply state of the electronic device, the optional device comprising: power storage means; and power storage means Voltage monitoring means for monitoring the voltage of the battery, charging means for charging the power storage means, charge / discharge switching means for switching between a charge mode for charging the power storage means and a discharge mode for discharging the power storage means, and second control And the second control means has a second communication means, and the charging means according to a result of communication with the first control means by the second communication means, The charge / discharge switching means, front The power storage means and the voltage monitoring means are controlled, and the first control means avoids the time when the power conversion means outputs the maximum power to the load in the main body device, and charges the power storage means. The first communication means communicates with the second control means so that the second control means changes the charge / discharge switching means based on the result of the communication with the first control means. Switching to the charging mode, controlling the charging means to charge the power storage means, and switching the charge / discharge switching means to the discharge mode when the voltage monitoring means determines that the power storage means is operable. Then, the electronic device is controlled to supply power to the load in the optional device by the power storage means.

  (5) The electronic apparatus according to (4), wherein the first control unit detects an output current of the power conversion unit with a monitor.

  (6) The electronic device according to (4), wherein the first control unit controls charging of the power storage unit in accordance with an operation mode of the electronic device.

  (7) An electronic apparatus including a main device and an optional device connected to the main device, wherein the main device converts electric power from a commercial power source into electric power that can be supplied to a load in the main device. Power conversion means, and control means for monitoring and controlling the operation and power supply state of the main unit, the optional device comprising: power storage means; voltage monitoring means for monitoring the voltage of the power storage means; Charging means for charging the power storage means; charge / discharge switching means for switching between a charging mode for charging the power storage means and a discharge mode for discharging the power storage means; and the control means can supply the power conversion means An electronic apparatus that controls to supply power from the power storage unit to a load in the main unit when a margin of power decreases.

  (8) In the electronic device according to (7), when the control unit has a small amount of power that can be supplied by the power conversion unit, and the voltage monitoring unit has decreased power storage in the power storage unit. An electronic apparatus, wherein when judged, the main device is controlled so that the power consumption is low enough to operate.

  (9) An electronic apparatus including a main device and an optional device connected to the main device, wherein the main device converts electric power from a commercial power source into electric power that can be supplied to a load in the main device. Power conversion means, first communication means, first control means for monitoring and controlling the operation and power supply state of the main body device, the optional device comprises power storage means, voltage of the power storage means Voltage monitoring means for monitoring the power storage means, charging means for charging the power storage means, charge / discharge switching means for switching between a charge mode for charging the power storage means and a discharge mode for discharging the power storage means, and a second control means; And the second control means has a second communication means, and the charging means and the charging means according to a result of communication with the first control means by the second communication means. Discharge switching means, the power storage Controlling the stage and the voltage monitoring means, and the first control means communicates with the second control means by the first communication means when a margin of suppliable power of the power conversion means is reduced, An electronic apparatus that controls to supply power from the power storage unit to a load in the main unit.

  (10) In the electronic device according to (9), the first control unit has a small margin of power that can be supplied by the power conversion unit, and the second control unit is configured by the first communication unit. As a result of communication with the electronic device, when the voltage monitoring unit determines that the power storage of the power storage unit is low, the electronic device is controlled so that the power consumption of the main unit is low.

  According to the present invention, an optional device to be retrofitted is provided with a capacitor in advance, and charging is performed while avoiding when the main body power supply outputs the maximum power, so that it is not necessary to increase the capacity on the power supply side. In addition, the configuration can be realized at a lower cost and a smaller space than when a dedicated power source is mounted on the optional device.

  Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a power supply configuration of an electronic device main body 100 (hereinafter referred to as an apparatus main body 100) and an optional device 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing power control according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a switching power supply is generally used for the power converter 101 (corresponding to the power conversion means).

  The power converter 101 receives AC power from the commercial power supply 300, performs high-speed switching with a semiconductor switch such as a transistor after rectification and smoothing, and outputs DC that has been level-converted by an insulating transformer.

  The main body load 102 (corresponding to the load in the electronic device) of the apparatus main body 100 is generally 24V when the motor is rotated, and the control system CPU, memory, sensor, etc. have 5V, 3.3V, etc. Voltage is often used. The output voltage of the switching power supply is determined according to those outputs.

  In this embodiment, a power storage device 202 (corresponding to power storage means) is provided in an optional device 200 to be retrofitted.

  Previously, nickel cadmium batteries were used as rechargeable storage batteries, but there are reasons such as the use of cadmium, which is a structurally harmful substance, and charging / discharging time due to high internal resistance. Considering the use as in this embodiment, it is not so realistic.

  On the other hand, an aluminum electrolytic capacitor that does not use harmful substances and has an extremely low internal resistance cannot secure a sufficient capacity due to its structure.

  Therefore, if electric double layer capacitors that have been rapidly put into practical use in recent years are used, it is possible to realize a large-capacity capacitor without using harmful substances, even if the internal resistance value is not as low as that of aluminum electrolytic capacitors. Can do.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a power control flowchart when the optional device 200 is installed.

  First, before starting charging the optional device 200, the operating state of the device main body 100 is confirmed (step S301).

  At this time, if the power converter 101 which is the main body power supply outputs the maximum power, charging is not performed because there is no room for charging the battery 202 in the option device 200 (steps S302 and S303).

  As a configuration for determining whether or not the power converter 101 is operating at the maximum power, if the main body control unit 103 (corresponding to the control means) detects the power supply output current with a monitor and the current value is equal to or less than a specified value. It is possible to charge the battery 202. It is also possible to store in advance the power output state corresponding to the operation mode of the apparatus main body 100 and determine how much power is being output by the mode in which the device main body 100 is operating.

  Since the apparatus main body 100 does not always operate in a state where the maximum output of the power supply is used, the main body control unit 103 grasps the operation state and performs charging only when the maximum output is obtained. Good.

  When charging is possible based on the determination by the main body control unit 103, the charge / discharge switching circuit 201b (corresponding to charge / discharge switching means) is switched to the charging side (corresponding to charging mode), and the battery 202 is charged by the charging circuit 201a (corresponding to charging means). Is started (steps S302 and S304).

  The optional device 200 is provided with a voltage detection circuit 201c (corresponding to voltage monitoring means) of the battery 202, and when the voltage reaches a specified level, the charging circuit 201a is stopped to avoid overcharging (steps S305 to S308). ). Then, the apparatus main body 100 side is notified that the charging has been sufficiently performed and completed (step S309).

  The main body control unit 103 confirms that the power supply capability of the optional device 200 is secured. Thereafter, the charge / discharge switching circuit 201b is switched to the discharge side (corresponding to the discharge mode), power supply from the battery 202 to the option load 203 is started, and an operation using the option device 200 is performed (step S310).

  If the optional device 200 operates, the charge stored in the battery 202 is consumed (step S311). For this reason, after the optional device 200 operates to some extent, the voltage detection circuit 201c again confirms the voltage level in the capacitor 202 in the optional device 200 (steps S313 to S315).

  Even if the power consumption due to the operation of the load is not actually performed, the battery 202 consumes power by self-discharge. Therefore, when the optional device 200 is not operating, the timer is operated to check the level at regular time intervals. Is performed (step S312).

  When the voltage level of the battery 202 has decreased, the process returns to the first procedure again, and after confirming that the main body power supply is not operating at the maximum power, charging is started (steps S314 and S301).

  It is not necessary for the main body control unit 103 to perform all these controls. For example, an option control unit 201 (corresponding to the second control means) provided with communication means (corresponding to the second communication means) is also provided on the option device 200 side. Similarly, charging and discharging may be performed according to each other's operating state while communicating with a main body control unit 103 (corresponding to the first control means) provided with communication means (corresponding to the first communication means). .

  Further, when the main body power supply operates for a long time in the maximum power output state and the optional device 200 cannot be charged, the following may be performed. In other words, for example, by adjusting the operation of the main unit so that the power for charging can be secured by reducing the number of revolutions of the motor or fan slightly, the system power supply capacity can be configured as it is. Is possible.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a power supply configuration of the apparatus main body 100 and the optional apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 3, the configuration is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, and in this example, a description will be given centering on differences from the first embodiment. Moreover, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the thing of the same structure as 1st Embodiment.

  In this embodiment, when power shortage occurs on the apparatus main body 100 side, the power of the battery 202 mounted on the option apparatus 200 side can be supplied to operate the main body load 102.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a power control flowchart of this embodiment.

  First, the main body control unit 103 confirms the operating state of the apparatus main body 100 (step S401).

  For example, when a capacitor is also used on the main body power supply side, the voltage of the main body side capacitor may decrease in a mode in which the amount of load current is large.

  If the main body control unit 103 determines that there is a possibility that the main body power supply side may cause power shortage, the main body control unit 103 next checks the voltage level of the battery 202 mounted on the optional device 200 side (step S402). , S404). On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no possibility that the main body power supply side will cause power shortage, normal operation is performed (step S403).

  If there is a possibility that the main body power supply side will run out of power, and if the charging state on the option device 200 side is good, the operation state of the option device 200 is next checked (steps S405 and S408).

  When it is determined that the charge level on the option device 200 side is good and there is a margin in comparison with the remaining capacity of the battery on the device main body 100 side in terms of power load, the operation is as follows. That is, power is supplied to the apparatus main body 100 side using the battery 202 mounted on the optional device 200 (steps S409 and S410).

  On the other hand, when the high-power option load 203 connected to the option device 200 is operating, the power of the battery 202 cannot be expected. For this reason, in this case, communication with the apparatus main body 100 is performed, and the electric storage device on the apparatus main body 100 side is charged from the commercial power supply 300 (step S411).

  In addition, when the charge levels of the capacitors on both the apparatus main body 100 side and the option apparatus 200 side are insufficient, or when both are operating in a mode in which the maximum power consumption is performed, the above-described power assistance cannot be performed. Therefore, in that case, notification may be made between the apparatus main body 100 and the optional apparatus 200 (step S406), and the mode may be switched to a mode such as a power saving operation mode so as to suppress power consumption (step S407). Alternatively, switching may be performed so that power can be directly supplied from the power source without passing through the battery on the apparatus main body 100 side.

  As in the first embodiment, it is not necessary for the main body control unit 103 to perform all of these controls. For example, an option control unit 201 (corresponding to the second control means) provided with communication means (corresponding to the second communication means) is also provided on the option device 200 side. Similarly, it communicates with a main body control unit 103 (corresponding to the first control means) provided with communication means (corresponding to the first communication means), and from the battery 202 to the main body load 102 according to the communication result. You may supply electric power.

It is a block diagram which shows the power supply structure of the apparatus main body and option apparatus which concern on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the electric power control which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the power supply structure of the apparatus main body and option apparatus which concern on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the electric power control which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st block diagram which shows the power supply structure of the apparatus main body and option apparatus which concern on the conventional embodiment. It is a 2nd block diagram which shows the power supply structure of the apparatus main body and option apparatus which concern on the conventional embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100 apparatus main body 101 power converter (equivalent to power conversion means)
102 Main unit load (equivalent to the load in electronic equipment)
103 Main body control unit (corresponding to control means or first control means)
200 Option device 201 Option control unit (corresponding to second control means)
201a charging circuit (equivalent to charging means)
201b Charge / discharge switching circuit (equivalent to charge / discharge switching means)
201c Voltage detection circuit (equivalent to voltage monitoring means)
202 battery (equivalent to power storage means)
203 Optional load 300 Commercial power supply

Claims (10)

An electronic device comprising a main unit and an optional device connected to the main unit,
The main unit is
Power conversion means for converting power from a commercial power source into power that can be supplied to a load in the main unit;
Control means for monitoring and controlling the operation and power supply state of the main unit;
Have
The optional device is
Power storage means;
Voltage monitoring means for monitoring the voltage of the power storage means;
Charging means for charging the power storage means;
Charge / discharge switching means for switching between a charge mode for charging the power storage means and a discharge mode for discharging the power storage means;
Have
The control means avoids the time when the power conversion means outputs maximum power to the load in the main unit, switches the charge / discharge switching means to the charge mode, and transfers the charge means to the power storage means. When the voltage monitoring unit determines that the power storage unit is operable, the charge / discharge switching unit is switched to the discharge mode, and the power storage unit supplies power to the option device. An electronic device characterized by being controlled as follows.   2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit detects an output current of the power conversion unit with a monitor.   2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls charging of the power storage unit in accordance with an operation mode of the electronic device. An electronic device comprising a main unit and an optional device connected to the main unit,
The main unit is
Power conversion means for converting power from a commercial power source into power that can be supplied to a load in the main unit;
First control means having first communication means for monitoring and controlling the operation and power supply state of the electronic device;
Have
The optional device is
Power storage means;
Voltage monitoring means for monitoring the voltage of the power storage means;
Charging means for charging the power storage means; charge / discharge switching means for switching between a charge mode for charging the power storage means and a discharge mode for discharging the power storage means;
A second control means;
Have
The second control unit includes a second communication unit, and according to a result of communication with the first control unit by the second communication unit, the charging unit, the charge / discharge switching unit, Controlling the power storage means and the voltage monitoring means;
The first control means uses the first communication means to charge the power storage means so as to avoid the time when the power conversion means outputs maximum power to the load in the main body device. Communicate with the second control means,
The second control means controls the charge / discharge switching means to switch to the charge mode based on a result of the communication with the first control means, and the charging means charges the power storage means. When the voltage monitoring unit determines that the power storage unit is operable, the charge / discharge switching unit is switched to the discharge mode, and the power storage unit controls the power supply to the load in the option device. An electronic device characterized by that.   5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first control unit detects an output current of the power conversion unit with a monitor.   5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the first control unit controls charging of the power storage unit in accordance with an operation mode of the electronic device. An electronic device comprising a main unit and an optional device connected to the main unit,
The main unit is
Power conversion means for converting power from a commercial power source into power that can be supplied to a load in the main unit;
Control means for monitoring and controlling the operation and power supply state of the main unit;
Have
The optional device is
Power storage means;
Voltage monitoring means for monitoring the voltage of the power storage means;
Charging means for charging the power storage means; charge / discharge switching means for switching between a charge mode for charging the power storage means and a discharge mode for discharging the power storage means;
Have
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control to supply power from the power storage unit to a load in the main body device when a margin of power that can be supplied by the power conversion unit decreases.   The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein when the control unit determines that there is little margin of power that can be supplied by the power conversion unit and the voltage monitoring unit determines that the power storage of the power storage unit is reduced. An electronic apparatus that controls the main device to operate with low power consumption. An electronic device comprising a main unit and an optional device connected to the main unit,
The main unit is
Power conversion means for converting power from a commercial power source into power that can be supplied to a load in the main unit;
First control means having first communication means for monitoring and controlling the operation and power supply state of the main unit;
The optional device is
Power storage means;
Voltage monitoring means for monitoring the voltage of the power storage means;
Charging means for charging the power storage means; charge / discharge switching means for switching between a charge mode for charging the power storage means and a discharge mode for discharging the power storage means;
A second control means;
Have
The second control unit includes a second communication unit, and according to a result of communication with the first control unit by the second communication unit, the charging unit, the charge / discharge switching unit, Controlling the power storage means and the voltage monitoring means;
The first control unit communicates with the second control unit by the first communication unit when a margin of suppliable power of the power conversion unit decreases, and the load in the main unit is transmitted from the power storage unit. An electronic device that is controlled to supply power to a battery.   10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the first control means has a margin of power that can be supplied by the power conversion means, and communication with the second control means by the first communication means. As a result, when the voltage monitoring unit determines that the power storage of the power storage unit is low, the electronic device is controlled so that the power consumption of the main unit is low.

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