JP2007324036A - Battery device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery device of inexpensive and simple configuration capable of easily releasing an idle mode, even if only a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal are equipped as an external power source terminal. <P>SOLUTION: The battery device comprises a secondary battery which is charged from an external power source, a push button switch that indicates display of charged state of the secondary battery, and a control device equipped with an operation control function that mainly controls charging of the secondary battery and outputting of the power energy charged in the secondary battery. The control device is provided with an idle mode setting function that sets an idle mode in which the operation control function is stopped to suppress power consumption of its own, and an idle mode releasing function that releases the idle mode when operation of the push button switch is detected in the idle mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery device that includes a secondary battery that is charged by an external power supply, and that outputs power energy charged in the secondary battery to a load such as a mobile phone that is selectively connected to a power supply output terminal.

A secondary battery charged by an external power source such as an AC adapter as an auxiliary power supply device such as a mobile phone is built in, and the secondary battery is connected to a mobile phone (load) selectively connected to a pair of positive and negative power output terminals. A battery device that outputs power energy charged in a battery is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Also, a microprocessor for controlling charging / discharging of the secondary battery when a mobile phone (load) is not connected to the battery apparatus or when the secondary battery is in a fully charged state in order to suppress power consumption of the battery apparatus itself Control devices such as (MPU) and DC / DC converters are also set to a dormant state (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Incidentally, such a sleep mode is performed, for example, by making the operation clock frequency of the microprocessor lower than that in the normal operation.
JP-A-10-97875 JP-A-8-98414

  By the way, the above-described setting of the sleep mode and the cancellation thereof are performed, for example, by detecting whether or not a cellular phone (load) is connected to the power output terminal. Specifically, in the power supply device, as a power supply output terminal, normally, a positive terminal P and a negative terminal N for discharging (outputting) power energy charged in a secondary battery, and a reference potential thereof are defined. There are provided three terminals including a ground terminal G. Therefore, whether or not a mobile phone (load) is connected to the ground terminal G is detected from the potential of the ground terminal G. For example, when the potential of the ground terminal G is 0 V, this is the connection state of the mobile phone. It recognizes and cancels hibernation mode.

  However, some mobile phones (loads) have only two positive power terminals P and negative terminals N as external power supply terminals. In this case, there is a problem in how to detect the presence or absence of the connection. Furthermore, when the presence / absence of connection of the mobile phone (load) cannot be detected, there arises a problem of how to cancel the sleep mode described above. Incidentally, it is conceivable to detect the presence or absence of connection of a cellular phone (load) using an attachment / detachment sensor, but there is a new problem that the cost of parts increases and the configuration becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to simplify the operation mode even when the external power supply terminal includes only the positive terminal P and the negative terminal N. It is an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive and simple battery device which can be changed and can be easily released from the hibernation mode.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the battery device according to the present invention is suitable as an auxiliary power supply device for a load such as a mobile phone,
<a> A power output terminal to which a load is detachably connected;
<b> a secondary battery that is charged by an external power source and capable of outputting the charged power energy via the power output terminal;
<c> An indicator for visually displaying the charging state of the secondary battery;
<d> a push button switch for instructing the display of the state of charge by the indicator;
<e> Controls the output of the power energy charged in the secondary battery via the power output terminal, detects the operation of the push button switch, and displays the state of charge of the secondary battery on the display And a control device having an operation control function,
<f> The control device further includes a sleep mode setting function for setting a sleep mode for stopping the operation control function and suppressing power consumption of the device, and when the operation of the push button switch is detected during the sleep mode. And a sleep mode canceling function for canceling the sleep mode.

  Preferably, the sleep mode setting function is configured such that when power energy is not supplied from the external power source, or when the secondary battery is fully charged, or the output current through the power output terminal satisfies a preset current value. It is realized as setting the pause mode described above when there is not, and the pause mode canceling function is realized as detecting the long press operation state of the push button switch to cancel the pause mode.

  Specifically, the sleep mode setting function is, for example, the power output of the power energy charged in the secondary battery by stopping the operation of a DC / DC converter provided between the secondary battery and a power output terminal. The output through the terminal is prohibited, and the operation clock frequency of the control device composed of a microprocessor is lowered, thereby reducing the power consumption in the DC / DC converter and the microprocessor.

  According to the battery device having the above configuration, the push button switch for instructing the charging state display of the secondary battery is effectively used, and when the push button switch is operated during the sleep mode, the push button switch is operated as a release command for the sleep mode. Since it is determined that the sleep mode is cancelled, there is no inconvenience that the sleep mode cannot be canceled even when the connection state of the load cannot be electrically detected. In particular, since the push button switch is incorporated in the battery device as an operating device for displaying the state of charge, it is not necessary to incorporate a new part such as an attachment / detachment sensor for detecting whether or not a load is connected. . In addition, since it is only necessary to change (correct) the operation control program of the microprocessor which is the main body of the control device, the hibernation mode canceling function can be realized easily while suppressing the cost of the components.

Hereinafter, a battery device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
This battery device includes a pair of positive and negative power input terminals 1a and 1b connected to an external power source PS and a pair of positive and negative power output terminals 2a and 2b to which a load RL is connected as shown in FIG. And a built-in secondary battery 3 that is charged by the external power source A. Incidentally, the external power source PS includes an AC / DC converter called a so-called AC adapter that rectifies a commercial power source (AC) to generate a predetermined DC voltage. The load RL is composed of an electronic device such as a mobile phone that incorporates a secondary battery BAT as a drive source. The external power source PS is selectively connected to the power input terminals 1a and 1b to be used for charging the secondary battery 3, and the load RL is selectively connected to the power output terminals 2a and 2b to be supplied from the battery device. Receive power supply. The secondary battery BAT incorporated in the load RL is charged by supplying power from the battery device.

  The secondary battery 3 incorporated in the battery device is composed of, for example, a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery, and a plurality of battery cells are connected in series and parallel to ensure a required battery capacity and battery voltage. Realized. The DC power energy supplied from the external power supply PS through a pair of positive and negative power supply input terminals 1a and 1b is applied to the secondary battery 3 through, for example, the diode 4, thereby charging the secondary battery 3. Further, the electric energy charged in the secondary battery 3 is converted into a predetermined DC voltage through the DC / DC converter 5 and is taken out and output through the pair of positive and negative power output terminals 2a and 2b. .

  Further, in the discharge path of the secondary battery 3 connecting the secondary battery 3 and the DC / DC converter 5, a current detection unit 6 for detecting the output current and the secondary battery 3 are protected from overcurrent. The protection circuit 7 is inserted in series. Specifically, the current detection unit 6 includes a shunt resistor inserted in series in the discharge path, and a sensing amplifier that detects a discharge current of the secondary battery 3 from a potential difference (voltage) generated at both ends of the shunt resistor. Consists of. The protection circuit 7 includes a fuse that is blown by an overcurrent to cut off the discharge path, and a semiconductor switch (MOS transistor) that is controlled by the current detection unit 6 to cut off the discharge path.

  The control device 11 for controlling the operation of the battery device, mainly the charge / discharge of the secondary battery 3, is composed of, for example, a microprocessor (MPU), and the terminal voltage Vbat of the secondary battery 3 under a preset operation program. The operation of the DC / DC converter 5 described above is controlled while detecting the above, and the operation state of itself is controlled as will be described later. That is, the control device (microprocessor) 11 generally performs arithmetic processing, judgment processing, and the like on input information in accordance with an A / D converter 12 as an information input interface and an operation clock provided from the clock oscillator 13. And a control unit 14. Then, by outputting the processing result, the above-described operation of the DC / DC converter 5 is controlled to be turned on / off, and further, the display 15 is driven to check the state of charge (charge amount) of the secondary battery 3 and the like. Display information.

  Specifically, in this embodiment, the control device (microprocessor) 11 detects the terminal voltage Vbat of the secondary battery 3 via the A / D converter 12 and is close to the secondary battery 3. The temperature T of the secondary battery 3 is detected from the output of the provided temperature sensor 16, and the discharge current I of the secondary battery 3 is detected as the output of the current detector 6. The power input terminal 1a is provided with an adapter detector 17 for detecting the presence / absence of connection of the external power source PS from the voltage applied to the power terminals 1a and 1b. This detection information is also detected by the control device (microprocessor). ) 11.

  Further, the control device (microprocessor) 11 is provided with a push button switch (SW) 18 for inputting operation information from the outside. The push button switch (SW) 18 is, for example, a normally open type, and plays a role of inputting operation information to the control device (microprocessor) 11 by short-circuiting between the switch contacts by a pressing operation. Incidentally, the push button switch (SW) 18 is originally used to give a display command to the control device (microprocessor) 11 and thereby display the charging state of the secondary battery 3 using the display unit 15. It is done. In addition to this role, in this battery device, the push button switch (SW) 18 has a role of changing the operation mode of the battery device, as will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation mode set in this battery device includes a standby mode A in which the secondary battery 3 is charged and waits for supply of power energy to the load RL, and the power energy charged in the secondary battery 3 is Output mode B for outputting to the load RL, display mode C for displaying the charging state of the secondary battery 3 on the display 15 in the standby mode A or output mode B, and when the secondary battery 3 is not charged / discharged It consists of four sleep modes D that reduce the power consumption of itself (microprocessor 11). These modes A, B, C, and D are the presence / absence of connection of the external power source PS by the adapter detection unit 17 described above under the control of the control device (microprocessor) 11, the terminal voltage Vbat and current of the secondary battery 3. It is alternatively set according to the discharge current I of the secondary battery 3 detected by the detector 6 and the operation of the push button switch (SW) 18 described above.

  In the above-described sleep mode D, as shown in Patent Document 2 described above, the operation clock frequency of the micro-proset 11 is made lower than that during normal operation, thereby reducing its power consumption. Specifically, the operation of the clock oscillator 13 described above is controlled, and the sleep mode is set by lowering the oscillation frequency fcp of the operation clock generated by the clock oscillator 13.

  This operation mode control will be described according to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 3 with reference to the state transition diagram shown in FIG. 2. First, an external power supply (AC adapter) PS is connected to the power input terminals 1a and 1b described above, and the external power supply is connected. The process starts by determining whether or not power is supplied from the PS [Step S1]. When power is supplied from the external power source PS, the standby mode A is set to charge the secondary battery 3, and when the external power source PS is not connected, the sleep mode D is set to suppress power consumption. To do.

  Incidentally, in the standby mode A, the microprocessor 11 is normally operated in a state where the operation of the DC / DC converter 5 is prohibited (stopped), and the microprocessor 11 monitors the terminal voltage Vbat of the secondary battery 3 while monitoring the terminal voltage Vbat. Charging of the secondary battery 3 by the external power source PS is controlled. When the charging of the secondary battery 3 is completed, that is, when the secondary battery 3 is fully charged [step S2], the microprocessor 11 detects this state and changes from the standby mode A to the sleep mode D.

  By the way, when the push button switch (SW) 18 is operated during the operation in the standby mode A described above, the microprocessor 11 indicates that the operation of the push button switch (SW) 18 has been performed only for a short time or is long. It is determined whether or not the operation is performed in a so-called long press state over time [steps S3 and S4]. When the push button switch (SW) 18 is operated only for a short time, it is determined that this is a display command for the charge state of the secondary battery 3, and the display mode C is set. When this display mode C is set, for example, the indicator 15 is set according to the terminal battery voltage Vbat of the secondary battery 3 and the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 3 obtained from the discharge current I and its discharge time t. Drives and displays the state of charge (remaining capacity).

  By the way, the display of the state of charge (remaining capacity) by the display 15 is, for example, when the display 15 is composed of two light emitting diodes (LEDs), by selectively lighting / flashing these two LEDs. The remaining capacity is displayed step by step. Specifically, for example, when the remaining capacity is 50 to 100% of the rated maximum capacity, two LEDs are lit, and when the remaining capacity is 25 to 50%, only one LED is lit and the remaining capacity is 5 When it is ˜25%, one LED blinks, and when the remaining capacity is less than 5%, the LED is not turned on to display the charging state of the secondary battery 3. When the secondary battery 3 is being charged, two LEDs may be blinked to indicate that fact. Instead of this, only one LED is used. When the remaining capacity is 25 to 100%, only one LED is lit. When the remaining capacity is 5 to 25%, the LED blinks and the capacity is 5%. It is also possible not to light the LED when there is not.

In addition, the display of the state of charge of the secondary battery 3 in the display mode C is performed over a predetermined time, and after the predetermined time has passed [Step S5], the original operation mode, in this case Return to standby mode A.
On the other hand, when the push button switch (SW) 18 is pressed for a long time during the operation in the standby mode A [step S4], the microprocessor 11 determines that this is an operation mode change command. Since the current operation mode is standby mode A, it is interpreted as an instruction to change to output mode B, and output mode B is set. In this output mode B, an operation permission signal is given from the microprocessor 11 to the DC / DC converter 5 to operate the DC / DC converter 5. By the operation of the DC / DC converter 5, the electric energy charged in the secondary battery 3 is taken out, boosted to a predetermined output voltage Vout, and outputted through the power output terminals 2a and 2b. Alternatively, the battery voltage of the load RL may be detected by the microprocessor 11 and power energy may be supplied if it is below a predetermined value.

  In this output mode B, the output current I is monitored via the current detector 6 described above, and the microprocessor 11 determines from the secondary battery 3 to the load RL based on the output current I and its output time. The amount of supplied power is measured. The remaining capacity of the secondary battery 3 is obtained by subtracting the supplied power amount (discharge energy amount) from the charge power amount (charge energy amount) of the secondary battery 3. At the same time, the microprocessor 11 determines whether or not the output current I has decreased to be smaller than a preset current value [step S6]. When the output current I is less than the predetermined value, it is determined in this state that the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 3 is significantly reduced and it is difficult to supply power to the load RL any more. Is changed to the sleep mode D described above. The power supply output via the DC / DC converter 5 is stopped by the change setting to the sleep mode D, and the power consumption is reduced.

  Further, during the operation in the output mode B, the operation of the push button switch (SW) 18 is monitored as in the operation in the standby mode A described above. When the push button switch (SW) 18 is operated, the microprocessor 11 operates the push button switch (SW) 18 only once for a short time or in a so-called long-pressed state for a long time. It is determined whether each has been operated [steps S7, S8].

  When the push button switch (SW) 18 is operated only for a short period of time, the microprocessor 11 determines that this is a display command for the state of charge of the secondary battery 3, and sets the display mode C. As described above, the display 15 is driven according to the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 3 to display the state of charge (remaining capacity). The display of the state of charge of the secondary battery 3 in this display mode C is performed over a preset fixed time, and after the fixed time has elapsed [step S9], the original operation mode, in this case, the output mode B Return to.

  If the push button switch (SW) 18 is operated for a long time during the operation in the output mode B [step S8], the microprocessor 11 determines that this is an operation mode change command. Since the current operation mode is the output mode B, it is interpreted as an instruction to change to the standby mode A, and the standby mode A described above is set. That is, the standby mode A and the output mode B described above are alternately changed and set by a long press operation of the push button switch (SW) 18. When operating in the standby mode A or the output mode B, the display mode C is set for a certain period of time by a single short-time operation of the push button switch (SW) 18. .

  By the way, when the sleep mode D described above is set, the microprocessor 11 stops the normal processing function described above by lowering its operation clock frequency. For example, the microprocessor 11 periodically pushes a push button switch (about once every few seconds). SW) 18 performs a power saving operation only by monitoring the operation state. This power saving operation suppresses power consumption in the microprocessor 11. The microprocessor 11 determines whether or not the push button switch (SW) 18 has been pressed for a few seconds or more from the operation state of the push button switch (SW) 18 monitored as described above. [Step S10]. When a long press of the push button switch (SW) 18 is detected, the microprocessor 11 interprets this state (long press operation) as a cancellation command for the pause mode D and sets the standby mode A described above. To return the battery device to the normal operating state.

  As described above, a plurality of operation modes (standby mode A, output mode B, display mode C, hibernation mode D) are alternatively set to charge the secondary battery 3, and the electric energy charged to the secondary battery 3. To control the output through the power output terminals 2a and 2b of the battery, and further display the charging state of the secondary battery 3, or set the sleep mode D when the secondary battery 3 is not charged / discharged to suppress power consumption. According to the battery device configured as described above, even if it is impossible to electrically detect the presence or absence of connection of the load RL to the power output terminals 2a and 2b, the battery device is incorporated for the indication of the charging state. The above-described operation mode can be selectively changed and set by effectively utilizing the push button switch 18. In addition, the operation mode can be easily changed independently of the switching to the display mode C by using a special operation mode called the long press operation of the push button switch 18. In particular, the sleep mode D can be easily released.

For the above-described operation mode switching control, it is only necessary to change (correct) the operation control program incorporated in the microprocessor 11, and a mounting sensor or the like for detecting whether or not the load RL is connected to the power output terminals 2a and 2b. This eliminates the need for the parts cost. Therefore, the effect that the battery device can be realized at low cost is exhibited.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, the alternative setting of a plurality of operation modes may be performed while setting an internal flag in the microprocessor 11 and managing the operation modes. Further, regarding the setting of the operation state in the sleep mode D, power saving may be achieved by suspending all other functions except for the operation detection function of the push button switch 18. In addition, the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.

The schematic block diagram of the battery apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the transition state of the operation mode in the battery apparatus shown in FIG. The figure which shows the example of the procedure of the operation mode control in the battery apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a, 1b Power supply input terminal 2a, 2b Power supply output terminal 3 Secondary battery 5 DC / DC converter 6 Current detection part 7 Protection circuit 11 Control apparatus (microprocessor)
13 Clock Oscillator 15 Display 17 Adapter Detection Unit 18 Push Button Switch PS External Power Supply RL Load

Claims (3)

A power output terminal to which a load is detachably connected;
A secondary battery that is charged by an external power source and capable of outputting the charged power energy via the power output terminal;
An indicator for visual display of the charge state of the secondary battery;
A push button switch for instructing the display of the state of charge by the indicator;
An operation control function for controlling the output of the power energy charged in the secondary battery via the power supply output terminal, and detecting the operation of the push button switch and displaying the charging state of the secondary battery by the display And a control device comprising
The control device further stops the operation control function and sets a sleep mode setting function for setting a sleep mode that suppresses its own power consumption. When the operation of the push button switch is detected during the sleep mode, the control device sets the sleep mode. A battery device comprising a hibernation mode canceling function for canceling. The hibernation mode setting function is used when power energy is not supplied from the external power source, when the secondary battery is fully charged, or when the output current through the power output terminal is less than a preset current value. To set the sleep mode to
The battery device according to claim 1, wherein the hibernation mode canceling function detects a long press operation state of the push button switch and cancels the hibernation mode.   The hibernation mode setting function suppresses the power consumption by prohibiting the output of power energy charged in the secondary battery via the power output terminal and lowering the operation clock frequency of the control device. The battery device according to claim 1.

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