JP2008211935A - Power system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power system where over-discharging and deterioration of a battery pack formed of a plurality of batteries are suppressed, and restoration from a stop state of power supply is available. <P>SOLUTION: The operation power of a control part 3 for monitoring output voltage of the pack battery 1 and controlling opening/closing of a switching element 4 and an operation of a load 2 is supplied from the pack battery 1 through a power supply line into which the switching element 4 is inserted. When output voltage of the pack battery 1 is not more than a voltage threshold which is previously decided, the switching element 4 is opened, the operation of the load 2 is stopped and the power supply operation of the pack battery 1 is completely stopped. When there is no power supply to the control part 3, the switching element 4 is opened and the state where the operation of the load 2 is stopped is continued. A manual switch 5 connected to the switching element 4 in parallel is operated after exchange of the pack battery 1. Thus, the power supply operation from the pack battery 1 to the control part 3 is resumed, the switching element 4 is closed, and the operation of the load 2 is resumed, by control of the resumed control part 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply system, and in particular, in a power supply system that supplies power output from an assembled battery composed of a plurality of batteries to a load, prevention means for preventing overdischarge of the battery and return means for resuming operation from a stopped state The present invention relates to a power supply system including

  Nickel metal hydride storage batteries used for DC power supplies are characterized by higher energy density, less battery life and less burden on the environment than lead storage batteries, and are small and lightweight, making them easy to carry Therefore, in recent years, it has been rapidly spreading as an in-vehicle battery and a disaster countermeasure power source.

  When using a nickel metal hydride storage battery as a power source, for example, a single nickel hydride storage battery called a single cell (rated voltage 1.2 V, current capacity 95 Ah) connected in series with k (for example, 10) one unit (hereinafter referred to as “unit”) 1 module), and this module connected in m units (for example, 4 units) in series and / or in parallel is used as an assembled battery, and n sets (for example, 3 sets) of assembled batteries are connected in parallel. A large capacity nickel-metal hydride storage battery system is configured by connection.

  In such a large-capacity power supply system, various proposals have been made for a mechanism for managing the power supply capability supplied to the load. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-119112 “Power Supply Device” in Patent Document 1, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-120856 “Power Supply Device”, or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-120857 “Power Supply Device” in Patent Document 3. Describes a management method in a power supply system including a plurality of assembled batteries connected in parallel, a charge control unit, and a discharge control unit.

  In Patent Document 1, in order to facilitate the estimation of the life of the assembled battery at the time of maintenance / inspection, the manufacturing date of the assembled battery is stored inside, and a predetermined date is determined based on the stored manufacturing date of the assembled battery. It describes that a usable period in which power can be supplied is calculated and a battery pack replacement date is displayed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, even if a power failure or the like occurs during the execution of a discharge capacity test for determining the deterioration of an assembled battery, a certain set of deterioration determination targets is provided to enable power supply to the load side. Battery monitoring means for performing a discharge capacity test not only when the battery pack is charged to full charge but also when a battery pack that is not subject to deterioration determination is charged to full charge when performing a battery discharge capacity test It is described to provide.

Further, in Patent Document 3, in order to level the power demand and reduce the power cost, it is monitored whether or not the remaining capacity of the assembled battery is equal to or lower than the charging start threshold value, and is set to be equal to or lower than the charging start threshold value. In such a case, it is described that a battery monitoring unit is provided that waits for a predetermined time in the middle of the night when power usage is low and starts supplementary charging of the assembled battery.
JP 2004-119112 A JP 2004-120856 A JP 2004-120857 A

  By combining the storage battery, the discharger, and the charger, it is possible to configure a backup power supply system for operating the load device even when a commercial power supply fails. In such a power supply system, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a battery pack 1 formed by connecting a plurality of nickel metal hydride storage batteries in series and / or in parallel, and a bypass circuit 11 that bypasses AC power from an AC input 12. A rectifier 6 that converts AC power to DC power and charges each nickel-metal hydride storage battery, that is, the assembled battery 1, an inverter 7 that converts power output from the assembled battery 1 to AC power, and a switch 8. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a power supply system that supplies commercial power to the load while charging the storage battery, and supplies power output from the storage battery to the load during a power failure.

  When the AC power from the AC input 12 is valid, the switch 8 connects the bypass circuit 11 to the AC load 9 and the input AC power is output to the AC load 9 as it is. Furthermore, the assembled battery 1 is charged via the rectifier 6 with AC power from the AC input 12. On the other hand, at the time of a power failure in which the AC power from the AC input 12 becomes invalid, the switch 8 connects the output of the inverter 7 to the AC load 9, and the energy output from the assembled battery 1 is AC exchanged via the inverter 7. It is converted into electric power and supplied to the AC load 9.

  The control unit 3 monitors the state of the assembled battery 1 in order to ensure the safety of the assembled battery 1 and prevent battery deterioration, and detects full charge during charging, failure detection of the assembled battery 1, and the inverter 7. Has the function of performing the operation control. Further, the operation of the control unit 3 requires a power source, and it is necessary to continue the control by the control unit 3 even when the AC power from the AC input 12 is interrupted. Power is supplied from the assembled battery 1.

  In general, the storage battery constituting the assembled battery 1 has reached the discharge end voltage by the operation of the control unit 3 because the deterioration proceeds when the discharge continues below the discharge end voltage predetermined as the storage battery. It is necessary to stop the discharge of the assembled battery 1 at the time. Therefore, when the AC power of the AC input 12 is supplied with power from the assembled battery 1 to the AC load 9 during a power failure, the control unit 3 monitors the output voltage of the assembled battery 1 and determines a predetermined voltage threshold, that is, discharge. When the voltage drops below the final voltage, control is performed to stop the operation of the inverter 7 and stop the power supply to the AC load 9.

  However, since the power of the assembled battery 1 continues to be supplied as the operation power supply of the control unit 3 even after the inverter 7 is stopped, the assembled battery 1 continues to be discharged even after the assembled battery 1 has dropped below the discharge end voltage. There arises a problem that the deterioration of the assembled battery 1 proceeds.

  Further, in order to avoid overdischarge of the assembled battery 1, a switch is inserted into the power supply line to the control unit 3, and the switch is opened when the output voltage of the assembled battery 1 drops below the discharge end voltage. Although there is a method, there is another problem that there is no return means for resuming the power feeding operation after the switch is opened.

  Problems such as this are not limited to nickel-metal hydride storage battery systems, etc., but power supply systems that combine secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries and lead storage batteries, and power supply systems that combine multiple batteries, including primary batteries This is also a problem that occurs.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is related to a power supply system configured to supply power to a load from an assembled battery including a plurality of batteries. An object of the present invention is to provide a power supply system having a return means for supplying power to a load while suppressing discharge and deterioration and restarting a stopped power supply operation.

  In addition, it is configured to charge the secondary battery in the assembled battery while supplying the power of the commercial AC power supply to the load, and the backup power supply supplies power from the assembled battery to the load in the event of a power failure of the commercial AC power supply In the system as well, an object is to provide a power supply system having a return means for supplying power to a load while suppressing overdischarge and deterioration of a battery and restarting a stopped power supply operation.

  The present invention comprises the following technical means in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.

  A first technical means includes an assembled battery formed by connecting a plurality of batteries, and supplies power output from the assembled battery to a load and to a control unit that controls the operation of the power system. In the case where the operating power of the control unit is supplied from the assembled battery via a feeder line in which a switching element is inserted, and the output voltage of the assembled battery exceeds a predetermined voltage threshold When the switching element is in a closed state, power is supplied to the control unit, the control unit is operated, and the output voltage of the assembled battery is equal to or lower than the voltage threshold, the switching element is It becomes an open state, the power supply to the control unit is stopped, and the operation of the control unit is stopped.

  The second technical means includes an assembled battery formed by connecting a plurality of batteries, and a rectifier that converts AC power into DC power, and supplies the DC power converted by the rectifier to a load. In a power supply system that supplies a battery to the control unit that controls the operation of the battery power supply system and charges the assembled battery with the DC power of the rectifier, the operation power of the control unit outputs the AC power Is supplied from the rectifier, and when the AC power is interrupted, is supplied from the assembled battery via a power supply line in which a switching element is inserted, and when the AC power is interrupted, In the state where power is supplied from the assembled battery to the load instead of the rectifier, when the output voltage of the assembled battery exceeds a predetermined voltage threshold, the switching element In the closed state, power is supplied to the control unit, the control unit operates, and when the output voltage of the assembled battery is equal to or lower than the voltage threshold, the switching element is in an open state, The power supply to the control unit is stopped, and the operation of the control unit is stopped.

  In the power supply system according to the second technical means, when the load is an AC load driven by AC power, the third technical means converts the DC power from the rectifier or the assembled battery into AC power. An inverter to be converted is provided by being inserted into a power supply line that supplies power to the load from each of the rectifier and the assembled battery.

  According to a fourth technical means, in the power supply system according to the third technical means, a power supply path for directly feeding the AC power serving as an input to the rectifier to the AC load, and an AC power output from the inverter. Switching means for switching between a power supply path for supplying power to the AC load is provided.

  According to a fifth technical means, in the power supply system according to the fourth technical means, when the AC power is output, an operating power of the switching means is supplied from the rectifier, and the AC power is converted to the AC power. The power supply path is set to supply power directly to the AC load, and when the AC power is interrupted, the operating power of the switching means is supplied from the assembled battery via the power supply line in which the switching element is inserted. The AC power output from the inverter is set as a power supply path for supplying power to the AC load, and the power is supplied from the assembled battery to the switching means instead of the rectifier when the AC power is interrupted. In the case where the output voltage of the battery pack exceeds a predetermined voltage threshold, the switching element is in a closed state, and Feeding is, when the output voltage of the battery pack becomes equal to or lower than the voltage threshold, the switching element is in an open state, supply of power to the switching means characterized in that the stop.

  Sixth technical means is the power supply system according to any one of the second to fifth technical means, wherein power is supplied from the rectifier to the control unit and / or the switching unit to the control unit. A diode that passes power only in the direction and / or the switching means is inserted, and a diode that passes power only in the feed direction from the rectifier to the load or the inverter is inserted in the feed direction to the load or the inverter. It is characterized by being.

  A seventh technical means is the power supply system according to any one of the first to sixth technical means, wherein when the output voltage of the assembled battery exceeds a predetermined voltage threshold, the load and / or Or when the said inverter operate | moves and the output voltage of the said assembled battery becomes below the said voltage threshold value, the operation | movement of the said load and / or the said inverter stops.

  According to an eighth technical means, in the power supply system according to any one of the first to seventh technical means, an external switch operable by a user is connected in parallel with the switching element, and the assembled battery is replaced. In this case, power supply from the replaced assembled battery to the control unit and / or the switching unit is started by closing the external switch.

  According to a ninth technical means, in the power supply system according to the eighth technical means, the external switch is closed during a user's operation or for a predetermined time after the user's operation. It is characterized by that.

  A tenth technical means includes a sensor for detecting that the assembled battery has been replaced in the power supply system according to any one of the first to seventh technical means, and a switch circuit is provided in parallel with the switching element. By connecting and closing the switch circuit in accordance with the detection result of the sensor, power supply from the replaced assembled battery to the control unit and / or the switching unit is started, and a predetermined time has elapsed. Later, the switch circuit is opened.

  The eleventh technical means is the power supply system according to any one of the first to tenth technical means, wherein the control unit is configured to monitor voltage output from the assembled battery, and to open / close the switching element. Switching element control means for controlling the load, and load control means for controlling the operation and operation stop of the load and / or inverter control means for controlling the operation and operation stop of the inverter, and the voltage monitoring unit When it is detected that the output voltage of the assembled battery exceeds the voltage threshold, the switching element control means closes the switching element, and the load control means and / or the inverter control means causes the load and / Or start the operation of the inverter, while the voltage monitoring unit outputs the assembled battery When it is detected that the pressure is equal to or lower than the voltage threshold value, the load control unit and / or the inverter control unit stops the operation of the load and / or the inverter, and then the switching element control unit controls the switching element. It is characterized by opening.

  The twelfth technical means is the power supply system according to the eleventh technical means, wherein the voltage level of the open control signal output from the switching element control means to the switching element, and the load control means and / or When the inverter control means sets the voltage level of the operation stop control signal output to the load and / or the inverter to a zero potential level, and the power supply to the control unit is stopped, the switching element is opened, The operation of the load and / or the inverter is stopped.

  A thirteenth technical means is the power supply system according to the twelfth technical means, wherein when the voltage monitoring unit detects that the output voltage of the assembled battery is equal to or lower than the voltage threshold, the load control means and / or Alternatively, by performing only the operation of opening the switching element by the switching element control means without performing the operation of stopping the operation of the load and / or the inverter by the inverter control means, The power supply from the assembled battery is stopped, the open state of the switching element is continued, and the operation of the load and / or the inverter is stopped.

  A fourteenth technical means is the power supply system according to any one of the first to thirteenth technical means, wherein the battery constituting the assembled battery is a nickel hydride storage battery or a lead storage battery.

  According to the power supply system of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  By configuring the power supply system as described in each of the technical means described above, the discharge operation of the battery constituting the assembled battery, for example, the secondary battery can be stopped before it becomes overdischarged. For example, it is possible to prevent the secondary battery from deteriorating and extend the battery life.

  In addition, it is possible to provide a power supply system that automatically performs a return operation from a stopped state of the power supply operation by power recovery of the commercial power supply and can restart the power supply operation from the power supply system to the load. Furthermore, when the power supply operation is recovered from the stopped state by battery replacement, a power supply system that restarts the power supply operation from the power supply system to the load by operating a manual switch can be provided.

  Hereinafter, an example of the best mode of the power supply system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Outline of the present invention)
Prior to the description of the embodiments of the present invention, first, the outline of the features of the present invention will be described. The present invention relates to a power supply system provided with return means for preventing overdischarge of a battery constituting an assembled battery serving as a power supply and restarting a power feeding operation from a stopped state.

  In the present invention, the control unit that controls the power supply system is arranged on a power supply line from the assembled battery to the control unit when the output voltage of the assembled battery is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage threshold value (end-of-discharge voltage). By opening the switching element (first switch: overdischarge prevention switch), the power supply operation from the assembled battery to the control unit itself is stopped, and the control unit stops the operation, and By automatically outputting an instruction to stop the operation of the load by stopping the operation of the control unit, the control of stopping the operation of the load is performed before stopping the load or opening the switching element. After the switching element is opened, the power feeding operation from the assembled battery to the control unit itself is stopped, and the assembled battery is supplied to all of the batteries to be fed by the assembled battery. It is made possible to completely stop the discharge operation.

  Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent overdischarge of the assembled battery.

  Furthermore, the battery pack that has dropped below a predetermined voltage threshold (end-of-discharge voltage) is replaced, and a manual switch (second switch: power supply operation return switch) connected in parallel with the switching element is operated. Thus, power supply from the assembled battery to the control unit is resumed, and the control unit can resume the control operation and resume the operation of the load.

  In addition, when power is supplied to the load by a commercial AC power supply and at the same time, the secondary battery in the assembled battery constituting the power supply system is charged and the power supply system is used as a backup power supply system for the commercial AC power supply. When power is being supplied from a backup battery pack during a commercial AC power failure, the battery output voltage drops below a predetermined voltage threshold (end-of-discharge voltage) and power is supplied from the battery pack. If the commercial AC power supply that was out of power is restored and charging operation from the commercial AC power supply to the assembled battery is started, the battery is automatically assembled from the commercial AC power supply via the rectifier. By resuming the battery charging operation and the power feeding operation to the control unit, the control unit can resume the control operation and resume the load operation.

  Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of an example in which the battery constituting the assembled battery is a nickel hydride storage battery or a lead storage battery secondary battery. However, the present invention is a nickel hydride storage battery or a lead storage battery. It is not limited to only. For example, even a battery system composed of a combination of secondary batteries other than nickel-metal hydride storage batteries and lead storage batteries, such as a plurality of lithium ion batteries, or a battery system composed of a combination of a plurality of batteries including a primary battery Can be applied in exactly the same way.

  Moreover, in the following description, a case where a nickel hydride storage battery or a lead storage battery is connected in series to form an assembled battery will be described as an example. However, a nickel hydride storage battery or a lead storage battery is connected in series and / or in parallel. Even if configured, it can be applied in exactly the same manner.

  The load to be discharged from the assembled battery is configured to be able to be operated or stopped by an external control signal (control signal from the control unit of the power supply system). It shall be.

  Also, not only when the load is driven by DC power, but also when the load is an AC load driven by AC power, DC power from the assembled battery is converted to AC power via an inverter and supplied to the load. A power supply system can be configured. In such a case, when power is supplied from the assembled battery to the load (AC load) via the inverter, the inverter is also operated by an external control signal (control signal from the control unit of the power supply system). It is assumed that the operation can be stopped.

  Here, in the following embodiments, the control signal from the control unit for controlling the operation of the load and the inverter is also a control signal for controlling the opening / closing of the switching element (first switch: overdischarge prevention switch) described above. The case where all are included as level signals is described. In other words, the switching element has a control terminal for controlling opening and closing by applying an external voltage level, and the load and the inverter also operate in their respective interiors by applying an external voltage level. It is assumed that it has a control terminal of an operation control circuit that controls / stop. When a zero voltage level is applied to the control terminal of the switching element and the control terminal of the load or inverter operation control circuit, the switching element is opened, and the operation of the load or inverter is stopped. When a predetermined voltage level is applied to the control terminal of the switching element, the load or the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the inverter, the switching element is closed, and the operation of the load and the inverter is started. Shall.

  Therefore, in the following embodiments, when a voltage level predetermined as a closing voltage level is applied from the control unit to the control terminal of the switching element, the switching element is closed, while the zero voltage level is When applied from the control unit, the switching element is opened. Also, when a voltage level predetermined as the operating voltage level is applied from the control unit to the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the load or inverter, the operation of the load or inverter is started, while the zero voltage level is controlled. When applied from the unit, the operation of the load and the inverter stops.

<First embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of the first embodiment of the power supply system of the present invention. In FIG. 1, nickel-metal hydride storage batteries (for example, single cell rated voltage 1.2V, rated capacity 95Ah, minimum operating voltage 1.0V) are connected in series to form assembled battery 1 (rated voltage 12V, rated capacity 95Ah). ) And connect to the load 2. The load 2 includes a control terminal of the operation control circuit inside, and operates as described above according to a voltage level applied to the control terminal as a control signal from the outside, for example, a control signal from the control unit 3. And can be stopped. In the present embodiment, a case where 10 nickel hydride storage battery cells are connected in series will be described. However, the assembled battery 1 may be configured by connecting a plurality of batteries having an arbitrary number of cells in series and / or in parallel. I do not care.

  In the configuration of FIG. 1, the minimum use voltage (discharge end voltage) of the assembled battery 1 is 10 V (= minimum use voltage 1.0 V × 10 cells per cell), and when discharging continues below this minimum use voltage. Deterioration due to overdischarge can occur.

  The control unit 3 monitors the output voltage of the assembled battery 1, outputs a control signal (operation / stop control voltage level) for controlling the operation and stop of the load 2, and controls the switching element 4 (open / close control). Output voltage level). That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 3 includes a voltage monitoring unit 3 a that is a voltage monitoring unit that monitors the output voltage of the assembled battery 1, and a control signal that controls opening and closing of the switching element 4 (voltage level for switching control). A switching element control unit 3b that is a switching control unit that outputs a load, and a load control unit 3c that is a load control unit that outputs a control signal (operation / stop control voltage level) for controlling the operation of the load 2. It is configured. Note that the operation power of the control unit 3 is supplied from the assembled battery 1 via the switching element 4 or the manual switch 5 as shown in FIG.

  Here, in order to control the operation of the load 2, the operation waveform of the control signal (operation / stop control voltage level) output from the control unit 3 to the control terminal of the operation control circuit in the load 2 will be described. The operation waveform of the control signal (open / close control voltage level) output to the control terminal will be further described with reference to the time chart of FIG. FIG. 7 is a time chart for explaining an example of a control voltage level (control signal) output as a level signal from the control unit 3 of the power supply system shown in FIG. 1 to the load 2 and the switching element 4.

  As described above, the load control unit 3c also controls the operation of the load 2 when the switching element control unit 3b outputs the control signal for controlling the opening / closing of the switching element 4 (first switch: overdischarge prevention switch). The control signals output for control are both level signals. As the control signals, the control signals for the control terminal of the switching element 4 and the control terminals of the operation control circuit of the load 2 are used for the respective operations. By applying a predetermined voltage level, the switching element 4 is closed and the load 2 is operated. On the other hand, with respect to the control terminal of the switching element 4 and the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the load 2 By applying a zero voltage level, the switching element 4 is opened and the operation of the load 2 is stopped.

  In addition, although the voltage level applied for each operation to the control terminal of the switching element 4 and the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the load 2 is maintained as it is, the power supply to the control unit 3 is not performed. When the operation is stopped, the voltage level applied to the control terminal of the switching element 4 and the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the load 2 from the control unit 3 that is not in the power supply state is forcibly set to the zero voltage level. As a result, the switching element 4 is opened and the operation of the load 2 is stopped.

  In FIG. 7, when an assembled battery 1 whose output voltage Vd from the assembled battery 1 is larger than a predetermined voltage threshold V1 is connected and the manual switch 5 is pressed at time T0, the assembled battery 1 is turned on. The power supply to the control unit 3 is started via the manual switch 5, and thereby the control operation of the control unit 3 is started.

  When detecting that the output voltage Vd exceeding the voltage threshold V1 is output, the control unit 3 closes the control terminal of the switching element 4 as a closing control signal for closing the switching element 4 at time T1. A predetermined voltage level is applied as a working voltage level. As a result, the switching element 4 is closed. Thereafter, the control terminal of the switching element 4 continues to be applied with the closing voltage level, and the switching element 4 maintains the closed state.

  Further, at time T2, the control unit 3 applies a voltage level predetermined as an operation voltage level to the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the load 2 as an operation control signal for operating the load 2. As a result, the load 2 starts to operate, and thereafter, the control terminal of the load 2 continues to be applied with the operating voltage level, and the load 2 maintains the operating state.

  Thereafter, when it is detected that the output voltage Vd of the assembled battery 1 gradually decreases due to the power feeding operation to the load 2 and the control unit 3 and finally decreases to the predetermined voltage threshold V1 at time T3, the control is performed. The unit 3 applies a zero voltage level to the control terminal of the switching element 4 as an open control signal for opening the switching element 4 at time T4. As a result, at the time T5 almost simultaneously with the time T4, the switching element 4 is opened, the power supply from the assembled battery 1 to the control unit 3 is stopped, and the operating voltage of the control unit 3 becomes the zero potential level. Thereafter, the control terminal of the switching element 4 is in a state where the zero potential level is maintained, and the switching element 4 remains open.

  On the other hand, when the operating voltage of the control unit 3 reaches the zero potential level, the operating voltage level applied to the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the load 2 is also reset to the zero potential level at time T6 almost simultaneously with time T5. Therefore, the operation of the load 2 is also stopped. Here, the operation of stopping the load 2 is performed by the operation control circuit of the load 2 as an operation stop control signal for stopping the operation of the load 2 from the load control unit 3c in a state where the control unit 3 is powered and operating. This is exactly the same as when a zero voltage level is applied to the control terminal.

  Here, when a level signal is used as the control signal, it is effective to adopt the following configuration for the configuration part of the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the switching element 4 or the load 2. When the power supply to the control unit 3 is stopped, the switching element 4 is automatically opened by applying a zero voltage level to the control terminal of the switching element 4 as an opening control signal for instructing opening. For example, a field effect transistor (FET) may be used so as to switch to a state, and when the gate potential of the FET is at a zero level, the FET is non-conductive and opened. In addition, the load 2 also has a switching element 4 as a constituent element of the operation control circuit so that the load 2 is automatically switched to an open state by applying a zero voltage level from the control unit 3 to the control terminal of the operation control circuit. In the same manner as in the above, for example, a field effect transistor (FET) may be used, and when the gate potential of the FET is at a zero level, the FET becomes non-conductive and the operation stops.

  This is the end of the description of an example of the setting operation of the control signal (control voltage level) output as a level signal from the control unit 3 in this embodiment. Next, the power supply system of FIG. Means for recovery will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a manual switch 5 that can be manually operated by an operator of the power supply system is connected in parallel with the switching element 4. The manual switch 5 is configured to maintain a closed state only while the operator performs a pressing operation, and to return to an open state when the operator releases the hand. Here, the manual switch 5 is used to perform a pressing operation when the operator replaces the assembled battery 1 that has been discharged below a predetermined voltage threshold value (end-of-discharge voltage) with a new assembled battery 1. When the manual switch 5 is pressed and closed, the power supply operation from the replaced new assembled battery 1 to the control unit 3 is resumed, and the control operation of the control unit 3 is resumed.

  After that, when the voltage monitoring unit 3a of the control unit 3 detects that the output voltage of the assembled battery 1 after replacement exceeds a predetermined voltage threshold value, the switching element control unit 3b closes the switching element 4. As a closing control signal to be formed, a voltage at the closing voltage level is applied to the control terminal of the switching element 4, and the switching element 4 is switched from the open state to the closed state. Therefore, after that, even if the operator releases the manual switch 5 and the manual switch 5 shifts to the open state, the power feeding operation from the assembled battery 1 to the control unit 3 continues through the switching element 4. become.

  As described above, in the switching element 4, the output voltage of the assembled battery 1 has dropped below a predetermined voltage threshold value (for example, the lowest usable voltage indicating the minimum voltage that can be discharged as the assembled battery 1, that is, the discharge end voltage). In this case, in order to prevent overdischarge of the assembled battery 1, the control unit 3 functions as an overdischarge protection switch (first switch) for suppressing the discharge operation to the load 2. Return switch (second switch) for returning from the stopped state and restarting the operating state when the power supply to the control unit 3 that controls the operation as the power supply system is lost and all the operations are stopped ).

  Next, operation | movement of the control part 3 is further demonstrated using the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the control flow of the load 2 and the switching element 4 by the control unit 3 in the battery system shown in FIG. 1, and shows an example of the control method of the power supply system of the present invention. The power supply system control method may be implemented as a power supply system control program that can be executed by a computer, or the power supply system control program may be recorded on a computer-readable program recording medium. .

  In FIG. 2, the setting of the new assembled battery 1 in the power supply system is completed, and the power supply operation to the control unit 3 is started by pressing the manual switch 5, for example. The control unit 3 that has started the control operation as the power supply system first sets the closing voltage level at the control terminal of the switching element 4 as a control signal for closing (short-circuiting) the switching element 4 by the switching element control unit 3b. This is applied to close the switching element 4 (step S21).

  Next, an operation voltage level is applied to the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the load 2 as a control signal for operating the load 2 by the load control unit 3c, thereby operating the load 2 (step S22). Here, the closing voltage level of the switching element 4 and the operating voltage level of the load 2 are continuously maintained thereafter, the switching element 4 continues to be closed, and the load 2 remains in the operating state. continue. Note that the order of step S21 for outputting the closing voltage level as a control signal for closing the switching element 4 and step 22 for outputting the operating voltage level as the control signal for operating the load 2 may be reversed.

  Thereafter, the control unit 3 monitors the output voltage Vb of the assembled battery 1 by the voltage monitoring unit 3a, and the output voltage Vb is a voltage threshold value V1 determined in advance for the assembled battery 1 (for example, the minimum operating voltage 10V of the assembled battery 1). Is exceeded (NO in step S23), the monitoring operation of the output voltage Vb of the assembled battery 1 in step S23 is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the output voltage Vb of the assembled battery 1 becomes equal to or lower than the voltage threshold value V1 (for example, the minimum operating voltage of the assembled battery 1 is 10V) (YES in step S23), the process proceeds to step S24, and the control unit 3 As an opening control signal for opening the switching element 4 by 3b, a zero voltage level is applied to the control terminal of the switching element 4 to open the switching element 4 (step S24). When the switching element 4 is opened and the supply of operating power to the control unit 3 is stopped, the operating voltage level applied to the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the load 2 is forcibly set to the zero voltage level. Thus, the operation of the load 2 is stopped. As a result, the discharging operation of the assembled battery 1 is completely stopped.

  When the power feeding operation to the load 2 and the control unit 3 is stopped and the discharging operation of the assembled battery 1 is completely stopped, the control terminal of the switching element 4 and the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the load 2 are respectively thereafter. Since the applied voltage level continues to hold the zero voltage level, the switching element 4 continues to be opened, and the load 2 continues to be in an operation stop state.

  In step S24, the power supply of the control unit 3 is stopped by opening the switching element 4, and as a result, the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the load 2 is also set to the zero voltage level. The operation of 2 is stopped. First, the load control unit 3c applies a zero voltage level to the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the load 2 as a control signal for stopping the operation of the load 2, and then the switching element. As a control signal for opening 4, an operation of applying a zero voltage level to the control terminal of the switching element 4 may be performed.

  Here, as described above, by setting the minimum usable voltage (discharge end voltage) of the assembled battery 1 as the voltage threshold value V1, battery deterioration due to overdischarge can be prevented.

  By executing the control as described above, while the output voltage Vb of the assembled battery 1 is higher than the voltage threshold V1 (for example, the lowest usable voltage 10V), power is supplied from the assembled battery 1 to the load 2, and the operation of the load 2 is performed. On the other hand, when the output voltage Vb becomes equal to or lower than the voltage threshold V1 (for example, the lowest usable voltage 10V), the switching element 4 is opened, and the state where no operating power is supplied to the control unit 3 continues thereafter. As a result, the stopped state of the operation of the load 2 continues, and the discharge of the assembled battery 1 is completely stopped. Thus, overdischarge of the assembled battery 1 can be prevented.

  In order to restart the operation of the control unit 3 of the battery system and resume the operation of the load 2 after the discharge is stopped, the assembled battery 1 is set to the voltage threshold value V1 (for example, the minimum operating voltage 10V) as described above. After switching to a higher one, the manual switch 5 connected in parallel to the switching element 4 may be pressed.

  In addition, when applied to a power supply system for an AC load having a configuration as shown in FIG. 5 described later, a completely equivalent control structure can be obtained by replacing the load 2 with the inverter 7 in FIG. That is, the load is an AC load 9 that is driven by AC power, an inverter 7 that converts DC power to AC power is connected to the output side of the assembled battery 1, and the AC load 9 is driven by the output of the inverter 7. When the output voltage of the assembled battery 1 becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage threshold (for example, the minimum operating voltage 10V), the operation of the inverter 7 is stopped instead of giving an instruction to stop the operation of the AC load 9 It is only necessary to give an instruction to do so.

  In general, the inverter 7 includes a control terminal of an operation control circuit that operates / stops in accordance with an external control voltage level. Therefore, the control unit 3 applies a voltage level predetermined as the operation voltage level to the control terminal, thereby starting the operation of the inverter 7 and using the zero voltage level as the operation stop signal. By applying the voltage to the terminal, the output of the inverter 7 can be stopped, and when the power feeding operation to the control unit 3 is stopped by opening the switching element 4, the discharging operation to the inverter 7 can also be stopped.

  After the discharge is stopped, after replacing the assembled battery 1 with a voltage higher than the voltage threshold V1 (for example, the minimum operating voltage 10V), if the manual switch 5 is pressed, the manual switch 5 is closed, and the assembled battery after the replacement Since the power is supplied from 1 to the control unit 3, the control unit 3 is started, and the switching element control unit 3b of the control unit 3 closes the switching element 4, and then the inverter control unit instead of the load control unit 3c. The operation voltage level is applied to the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the inverter 7 by the operation, so that the operation of the inverter 7 is resumed and the power feeding operation to the load 2 can be resumed.

  As described in detail above, the power supply system in the present embodiment has the following characteristics.

  In the power supply system of the present embodiment, the control unit 3 that monitors the output voltage of the assembled battery 1 composed of a plurality of batteries including the secondary battery, controls the operation of the load 2, and controls the opening and closing of the switching element 4. The operation power supply of the control unit 3 is supplied from the assembled battery 1 through the feeder line in which the switching element 4 is inserted, and the switching element 4 is opened when the output voltage of the assembled battery 1 is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage threshold value. The control unit 3 is not supplied with power. Further, the operation of the load 2 is stopped in a state where power is not supplied to the control unit 3.

  Further, when a manual switch 5 that is closed (short-circuited) only during operation is connected to the switching element 4 in parallel, and it is desired to start power supply from the assembled battery 1 to the control unit 3, the manual switch 5, the operation power of the control unit 3 can be supplied from the assembled battery 1 and the operation of the control unit 3 can be resumed. The control operation of the control unit 3 causes the power supply line to the control unit 3 to The inserted switching element 4 is closed and the operation of the load 2 is restarted.

  By providing the features as described above, the discharge operation of the assembled battery 1 is stopped before it becomes over-discharged, and it is possible to prevent deterioration of the battery constituting the assembled battery 1 and extend the life of the battery. Become. Furthermore, after the power supply system is stopped, it is possible to replace the assembled battery 1 with a new assembled battery and operate the manual switch 5 to return the power supply system from the stopped state to the operating state.

<Second embodiment>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the second embodiment of the power supply system of the present invention, and shows a configuration example of a power supply system for backing up power supply from a rectifier by a commercial AC power supply. In FIG. 3, an assembled battery 1 (rated voltage 12V, rated capacity 100Ah) is obtained by connecting 6 cells of lead storage batteries (for example, single cell rated voltage 2.0V, rated capacity 100Ah, minimum operating voltage 1.7V) in series. Is connected to the load 2. As in the first embodiment, the load 2 can be operated and stopped by applying a control voltage level as a control signal from the control unit 3 to the control terminal of the internal operation control circuit. In the present embodiment, a case where six lead storage battery cells are connected in series will be described. However, as the assembled battery 1, a plurality of batteries having an arbitrary number of cells may be connected in series and / or in parallel. Absent.

  In the present embodiment, the minimum operating voltage (end-of-discharge voltage) of the assembled battery 1 is 10.2 V (= minimum operating voltage 1.7 V × 6 cells per cell), and discharge is performed below this minimum operating voltage. If continued, deterioration due to overdischarge may occur.

  In the configuration of FIG. 3, the rectifier 6 converts the commercial AC power supply (AC power) that is input into DC power. As long as the commercial AC power is valid, the rectifier 6 supplies power to the load 2 and the control unit 3. The assembled battery 1 is charged. In addition, a diode 7a that passes power only in the direction of power supply to the load 2 is inserted into the power supply line from the rectifier 6 to the load 2, and power is supplied from the rectifier 6 to the load 2 via the diode 7a. The assembled battery 1 is also charged from the rectifier 6 via the diode 7a. Also, a diode 7b that passes power only in the direction of power supply to the control unit 3 is inserted into the power supply line from the rectifier 6 to the control unit 3, and the control unit 3 is supplied with power from the rectifier 6 via the diode 7b. The

  Here, when the commercial AC power supply is effective, the DC power output from the rectifier 6 supplies power to the load 2 and the control unit 3 and charges the assembled battery 1, but the commercial AC power supply becomes a power failure. When it becomes invalid, the output of the rectifier 6 stops, so that the power output from the assembled battery 1 is supplied to the load 2 and the control unit 3. In addition, by the diodes 7a and 7b, the power output from the assembled battery 1 is only supplied to the load 2 and the control unit 3 when the commercial AC power supply is interrupted. Prevents backflow.

  As in the first embodiment, the control unit 3 can monitor the output voltage of the assembled battery 1, control the operation and stop of the load 2, and open and close the switching element 4. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 3 includes at least a voltage monitoring unit 3a, a switching element control unit 3b, and a load control unit 3c as in the case of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. ing.

  As described above, the operation power source of the control unit 3 is supplied from the rectifier 6 via the diode 7b when the commercial AC power source is effective, and is switched from the assembled battery 1 when the commercial AC power source fails. Supplied via element 4 or manual switch 5.

  In the configuration of FIG. 3 as well, the switching element control unit 3b outputs the level signal to the control terminal of the switching element 4 as a level signal, and the load control unit 3c outputs to the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the load 2. The voltage level for the operation / stop control to be performed is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted here. In the case where a level signal is used as the control signal, the field effect transistor having the configuration described in the first embodiment is used as the circuit portion of the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the switching element 4 or the load 2 in this embodiment. It is effective to use (FET).

  As shown in FIG. 3, as a means for recovering from the power supply system stop state, the operator of the power supply system manually operates in parallel with the switching element 4 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The manual switch 5 that can be used is connected, and the operation of the power supply system can be resumed by using the manual switch 5 in the same procedure as the recovery procedure described in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the control flow of the load 2 and the switching element 4 by the control unit 3 in the battery system shown in FIG. 3, and shows a different example of the control method of the power supply system of the present invention. The power supply system control method may be implemented as a power supply system control program that can be executed by a computer, or the power supply system control program may be recorded on a computer-readable program recording medium. .

  The flowchart of FIG. 4 shows that the setting of the new assembled battery 1 to the power supply system is completed and, for example, when the manual switch 5 is pressed or the commercial AC power is restored, The power supply operation is started and the power supply system is started. In the following steps S41 to S44, in the case of the present embodiment in which the assembled battery 1 composed of a 6-cell lead storage battery is used, the voltage threshold V1 that is the lowest usable voltage is set to 10.2 V (= 1 cell, for example). Except for setting the minimum use voltage of 1.7V × 6 cells), the steps are identical to steps S21 to S24 in the case of FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, and detailed description here Is omitted.

  When the commercial AC power supply fails for some reason in the state in which the control unit 3 maintains the operating state by executing the procedure as shown in FIG. 4, as a backup power source when the commercial AC power supply fails, By automatically supplying power from the assembled battery 1 to the load 2, the load 2 can continue to operate. However, when the output voltage Vb of the assembled battery 1 is equal to or lower than the voltage threshold V1 (for example, the lowest usable voltage 10.2 V) in a state where backup power supply is performed at the time of a power failure of the commercial AC power supply, the first embodiment is used. Similarly to the case, in order to prevent overdischarge of the assembled battery 1, the switching element 4 is opened, the power supply of the control unit 3 is stopped, and the operation of the load 2 is also forcibly stopped. As a result, the discharge operation of the assembled battery 1 is completely stopped, and overdischarge of the assembled battery 1 can be prevented.

  When the commercial AC power supply recovers after the discharge from the assembled battery 1 is stopped, the rectifier 6 starts to output DC power, and the power supply to the load 2 and the charging operation to the assembled battery 1 are resumed via the diode 7a. At the same time, power is supplied to the control unit 3 through the diode 7b, and the control operation of the control unit 3 is resumed, so that the switching element 4 is closed (short-circuited) by the operation of the switching element control unit 3b of the control unit 3. In addition, the operation of the load 2 is resumed by the operation of the load control unit 3c. Thereafter, the power feeding operation for the load 2 and the control unit 3 and the charging of the assembled battery 1 are continued by the output of the rectifier 6.

  In addition, when it is necessary to start the power supply system by replacing the assembled battery 1 instead of restoring the commercial AC power supply after the discharge is stopped, the assembled battery 1 is connected to the voltage as in the first embodiment. After switching to a voltage higher than the threshold value V1 (for example, the lowest usable voltage 10.2V), the manual switch 5 connected in parallel to the switching element 4 may be pressed.

  Note that, when applied to a power supply system for an AC load having a configuration as shown in FIG. 5 to be described later, a completely equivalent control structure can be obtained by replacing the load 2 with the inverter 7 in FIG. In the case of the embodiment, it is almost the same as the case described in the first embodiment except that the operation of the inverter 7 can be automatically started when the commercial AC power supply is restored.

  As described above, the power supply system in the present embodiment has the following characteristics.

  In the power supply system of the present embodiment, a rectifier 6 that rectifies AC power of a commercial AC power supply is provided for charging the assembled battery 1 and supplying power to the load 2 and the control unit 3. When the output of the rectifier 6 is stopped due to a power failure, power is supplied from the assembled battery 1 to the load 2, and the operating power of the control unit 3 is supplied from the assembled battery 1 through the feeder line into which the switching element 4 is inserted. To do. Similarly to the first embodiment, when the output voltage of the battery pack 1 is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage threshold value, the switching element 4 is opened, and in the state where the switching element 4 is opened, the control unit 3 has power. In a state where no power is supplied and no power is supplied to the control unit 3, the load 2 is stopped.

  Here, the rectifier 6 is connected via a diode 7a that passes power only in the feeding direction to the load 2 and the assembled battery 1 and prevents the power from the assembled battery 1 from flowing back to the rectifier 6 side, and The operation power supply of the control unit 3 is also supplied from the rectifier 6 via a diode 7b that passes power only in the direction of feeding power to the control unit 3.

  In addition, when the commercial AC power supply is restored when the power supply system is stopped, the power supply from the rectifier 6 to the load 2 and the control unit 3 and the charging operation to the assembled battery 1 are resumed. The control operation can be automatically restarted, and the switching element 4 inserted in the power supply line to the control unit 3 is closed and the operation of the load 2 is restarted by the control operation of the control unit 3.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, a manual switch 5 that is closed (short-circuited) only during the operation is connected to the switching element 4 in parallel. When it is desired to start the power supply from 1 to the control unit 3, the operation power of the control unit 3 can be supplied from the assembled battery 1 by operating the manual switch 5 and the control operation of the control unit 3 can be resumed. By the control operation of the control unit 3, the switching element 4 inserted in the power supply line to the control unit 3 is closed and the operation of the load 2 is restarted.

  By providing the above-described features, also in the power supply system that backs up the commercial AC power supply, the discharge operation of the assembled battery 1 is stopped before the overdischarge occurs, as in the case of the first embodiment. It is possible to prevent deterioration of the battery constituting 1 and extend the life of the battery.

  In addition, after the power supply system is stopped, the power supply to the load 2 and the control unit 3 and the charging operation to the assembled battery 1 are automatically resumed by the recovery of the commercial AC power supply. It is possible to return to a state in which the operation of the load 2 can be resumed and to return to a state in which the commercial AC power source can be backed up. Furthermore, after the power supply system is stopped, it is possible to replace the assembled battery 1 with a new assembled battery and operate the manual switch 5 to return the power supply system from the stopped state to the operating state.

<Third embodiment>
FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the third embodiment of the power supply system of the present invention, and shows a configuration example when the load is an AC load driven by AC power. In FIG. 5, as in FIG. 3, a lead-acid battery (for example, a single cell rated voltage of 2.0 V, a rated capacity of 100 Ah, and a minimum operating voltage of 1.7 V) is connected in series to form a battery pack 1 (rated voltage of 12 V The rated capacity 100Ah) is configured and connected to the AC load 9 through the inverter 7 and the high-speed switch 10 that convert DC power into AC power. As in the case of the load 2 of the first embodiment, the inverter 7 is operated and stopped by applying a control voltage level as a control signal from the control unit 3A to the control terminal of the internal operation control circuit. Is possible. In the present embodiment, a case where six lead storage battery cells are connected in series will be described. However, as the assembled battery 1, a plurality of batteries having an arbitrary number of cells may be connected in series and / or in parallel. Absent.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the minimum use voltage (discharge end voltage) of the assembled battery 1 is 10.2 V (= the minimum use voltage 1.7 V × 6 cells per cell). If the discharge is continued below the minimum operating voltage, deterioration due to overdischarge can occur.

  In the configuration of FIG. 5, the rectifier 6 converts AC power input from the commercial AC power source of the AC input 12 into DC power, and as long as the commercial AC power source is valid, the inverter 7, the control unit 3 </ b> A, and the high-speed switch 10 While supplying power, the assembled battery 1 is charged. The inverter 7 converts the DC power from the rectifier 6 or the output power from the assembled battery 1 into AC power, and outputs AC power to the AC load 9 via the high-speed switch 10 when a commercial AC power supply fails.

  The high-speed switch 10 connects the commercial AC power supply to the AC load 9 via the bypass circuit 11 when the commercial AC power supply from the AC input 12 is valid. During the time, the commercial AC power supply has a function of switching from the state where the commercial AC power source is connected to the AC load 9 via the bypass circuit 11 to the state where the output of the inverter 7 is connected to the AC load 9 at a high speed. In order to operate, an operating power supply is required.

  In addition, the control unit 3A can monitor the output voltage of the assembled battery 1, open and close the switching element 4, and control the operation and stop of the inverter 7. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 3A includes at least a voltage monitoring unit 3a and a switching element control unit 3b similar to those in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, and further includes a load control unit 3c in FIG. Instead of this, an inverter control unit 3d which is an inverter control means for outputting a control signal (operation / stop control voltage level) for controlling the operation of the inverter 7 is provided. In order to perform the control operation of the control unit 3A, the control unit 3A needs an operation power source.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the operating power supply for the high-speed switch 10 and the control unit 3A is from the rectifier 6 to the diode 7a and the switching element 4 or from the rectifier 6 to the diode 7b when the commercial AC power supply is effective. It is connected so that it may be supplied via. Further, when the commercial AC power supply fails, the assembled battery 1 is connected between the diode 7 a and the switching element 4, and thus supplied from the assembled battery 1 via the switching element 4 or the manual switch 5.

  When the commercial AC power source of the AC input 12 is valid, the DC power output from the rectifier 6 is supplied to the inverter 7, the control unit 3 </ b> A, the high-speed switch 10, and the assembled battery 1. When the commercial AC power is valid, the inverter 7 is in an operating state, but the high-speed switch 10 is in a state where the bypass circuit 11 and the AC load 9 are connected, and the commercial AC power of the AC input 12 is AC. Since it is connected to the load 9, the inverter 7 is in a no-load operation state.

  On the other hand, when the commercial AC power supply of the AC input 12 fails, the operation of the rectifier 6 is stopped and the supply of DC power from the rectifier 6 is stopped. As a result, the AC power from the inverter 7 is also fed to the AC load 9. Since the diodes 7a and 7b are inserted, the power from the assembled battery 1 is not supplied back to the rectifier 6 side as in the case of FIG.

  In FIG. 5, the switching element control unit 3 b outputs the level signal as a level signal to the control terminal of the switching element 4, and the operation / output that the inverter control unit 3 d outputs to the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the inverter 7. The voltage level for the stop control is exactly the same except that the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the load 2 in the first embodiment is replaced with the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the inverter 7. The description in is omitted. In the case where a level signal is used as the control signal, the field effect transistor having the configuration as described in the first embodiment is also used in the present embodiment as the circuit portion of the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the switching element 4 or the inverter 7. It is effective to use (FET).

  As shown in FIG. 5, as a means for recovering the power supply system from the stopped state, the operator of the power supply system manually operates in parallel with the switching element 4 as in the case of the first embodiment. The manual switch 5 that can be used is connected, and the operation of the power supply system can be resumed by using the manual switch 5 in the same procedure as the recovery procedure described in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the control flow of the inverter 7 and the switching element 4 by the control unit 3A in the battery system shown in FIG. 5, and shows a further different example of the control method of the power supply system of the present invention. . The power supply system control method may be implemented as a power supply system control program that can be executed by a computer, or the power supply system control program may be recorded on a computer-readable program recording medium. .

  The flowchart of FIG. 6 shows that when the setting of the new assembled battery 1 to the power supply system is completed, for example, by pressing the manual switch 5 or when the commercial AC power is restored, The power supply operation is started and the power supply system is started. In the following steps S61 to S64, in the case of the present embodiment using the assembled battery 1 composed of a 6-cell lead-acid battery, the voltage threshold V1 that is the lowest usable voltage is set to 10.2 V (= 1 cell, for example). Step S21 to S24 in the case of FIG. 2 in the first embodiment, except that the minimum use voltage is 1.7V × 6 cells) and the load 2 is replaced with the inverter 7. The detailed description is omitted here.

  When the commercial AC power supply fails for some reason in the state in which the control unit 3 holds the operating state by executing the procedure as shown in FIG. 6, as a backup power source when the commercial AC power supply fails, By supplying power from the assembled battery 1 to the inverter 7, the AC load 9 can continue to operate. However, when the output voltage Vb of the assembled battery 1 is equal to or lower than the voltage threshold V1 (for example, the lowest usable voltage 10.2 V) in a state where backup power supply is performed at the time of a power failure of the commercial AC power supply, the first embodiment is used. Similarly to the case, in order to prevent overdischarge of the assembled battery 1, the switching element 4 is opened, the power supply of the control unit 3 is stopped, and the operation of the inverter 7 is also forcibly stopped. As a result, the discharge operation of the assembled battery 1 is completely stopped, and overdischarge of the assembled battery 1 can be prevented.

  When the commercial AC power supply recovers after the discharge from the assembled battery 1 is stopped, the rectifier 6 starts to output DC power as in the case of the second embodiment, and supplies power to the inverter 7 through the diode 7a. Since the charging operation to the battery 1 is resumed and the control unit 3A and the high-speed switch 10 are supplied with power through the diode 7b, and the control operation of the control unit 3A is resumed, the switching element control unit 3b of the control unit 3A is resumed. As a result, the switching element 4 is closed (short-circuited), and the operation of the inverter 7 is resumed by the operation of the inverter control unit 3d. Thereafter, the power supply operation and the charging of the assembled battery 1 to the inverter 7, the control unit 3 </ b> A, and the high-speed switch 10 are continued by the output of the rectifier 6.

  Moreover, the high-speed switch 10 has recovered the connection state so that the commercial AC power from the AC input 12 is supplied to the AC load 9 via the bypass circuit 11 by the recovery of the commercial AC power. In a standby state, it becomes a no-load operation state.

  In addition, when it is necessary to start the power supply system by replacing the assembled battery 1 instead of restoring the commercial AC power supply after the discharge is stopped, the assembled battery 1 is connected to the voltage as in the first embodiment. After switching to a voltage higher than the threshold value V1 (for example, the lowest usable voltage 10.2V), the manual switch 5 connected in parallel to the switching element 4 may be pressed.

  As described above, the power supply system in the present embodiment has the following characteristics.

  In the power supply system of the present embodiment, even when an AC load 9 driven by AC power is connected as a load, the rectifier 6 that rectifies the AC power of the commercial AC power supply charges the assembled battery 1 and controls it. Power is supplied from the assembled battery 1 to the inverter 7 when the commercial AC power supply stops and the output of the rectifier 6 is stopped. At the same time, the operation power supply of the control unit 3A is supplied from the assembled battery 1 through the feeder line in which the switching element 4 is inserted. Similarly to the first embodiment, when the output voltage of the assembled battery 1 is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage threshold value, the switching element 4 is opened, and in the state where the switching element 4 is opened, the control unit 3A has power. In a state where no power is supplied and no power is supplied to the control unit 3A, the operation of the inverter 7 is stopped.

  Here, the rectifier 6 is connected via a diode 7a that passes power only in the feeding direction to the inverter 7 and the assembled battery 1 and prevents the power from the assembled battery 1 from flowing back to the rectifier 6 side, and Similarly to the second embodiment, the operation power supply of the control unit 3A is supplied from the rectifier 6 via the diode 7b that passes power only in the feeding direction to the control unit 3A.

  The power supply path to the AC load 9 is connected via a high-speed switch 10 that switches between power supply from the commercial AC power supply via the bypass circuit 11 and power supply from the inverter 7 at high speed. However, if the commercial AC power supply is effective, it is supplied from the rectifier 6, and if the commercial AC power supply fails, it is supplied from the assembled battery 1.

  Further, when the commercial AC power supply is restored when the power supply system is stopped, the power supply and the assembled battery from the rectifier 6 to the load 2, the control unit 3A, and the inverter 7 are substantially the same as in the second embodiment. Since the charging operation to 1 is resumed, the control operation of the control unit 3A can be automatically resumed, and the switching element inserted in the power supply line to the control unit 3A by the control operation of the control unit 3A 4 is closed and the operation of the inverter 7 is restarted.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, a manual switch 5 that is closed (short-circuited) only during the operation is connected to the switching element 4 in parallel. 1 to start power supply to the control unit 3A, by operating the manual switch 5, it is possible to supply the operation power of the control unit 3A from the assembled battery 1 and restart the operation of the control unit 3A. The switching element 4 inserted in the power supply line to the control unit 3A is closed and the operation of the inverter 7 is restarted by the control operation of the control unit 3A.

  By providing the above-described features, even when power is supplied to the AC load 9 via the inverter 7, the discharge operation of the assembled battery 1 is stopped before it becomes overdischarged, as in the first embodiment. Thus, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the battery constituting the assembled battery 1 and extend the life of the battery.

  Similarly to the second embodiment, after the power supply system is stopped, the power supply operation to the AC load 9 is resumed by the recovery of the commercial AC power supply, and the power supply to the inverter 7 and the control unit 3A is performed via the rectifier 6. The charging operation to the assembled battery 1 is automatically resumed, the control operation by the control unit 3 of the power supply system and the operation of the inverter 7 are resumed, and the commercial AC power source can be backed up. It is possible to return to Furthermore, after the power supply system is stopped, it is possible to replace the assembled battery 1 with a new assembled battery and operate the manual switch 5 to return the power supply system from the stopped state to the operating state.

<Other examples>
In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the level signal is used as the control signal for the switching element 4, the load 2, and the inverter 7 from the control units 3 and 3A has been described. A code signal composed of a specific code (symbol) may be used, and a code signal decoding circuit may be arranged at the position of the control terminal to be controlled. In such a case, it is possible to transmit a control signal to the switching element 4, the load 2, and the inverter 7 only when power is supplied to the control units 3 and 3 </ b> A and the operations of the control units 3 and 3 </ b> A are possible. It is. Therefore, for example, when the output voltage Vd of the assembled battery 1 drops below a predetermined voltage threshold V1, before the switching element 4 is opened and the power supply to the control units 3 and 3A is stopped. Then, it is necessary to transmit a code signal instructing to stop the operation to the load 2 and the inverter 7 as a control signal, and thereafter, the switching element 4 is controlled to be opened.

  However, when the battery pack 1 falls into an overdischarged state due to the voltage threshold V1 or lower, the voltage drops to a voltage at which the control units 3 and 3A cannot operate, and the switching element 4, the load 2, and the inverter 7 However, there may be a case where a code signal instructing opening or stopping of operation cannot be transmitted. For this reason, you may make it provide the backup power supply only for the control parts 3 and 3A in preparation for this situation.

  In addition, the switching element 4 in each of the above embodiments and the control element disposed at the control terminal of the operation control circuit of the load 2 or the inverter 7 are not only FETs, but also bipolar semiconductor elements, photocouplers, relays, etc. Any element may be used as long as the element can perform a switching operation within a predetermined voltage range.

  Further, in each of the embodiments described above, only when the operator performs a pressing operation as a return switch (second switch) for removing the assembled battery 1 from the stopped state and restarting the power feeding operation by replacing the assembled battery 1. In the above description, the switch is closed (short-circuited) and the manual switch 5 is used to restore the switch to the open state when the operator releases the hand and stops pressing. The manual switch may be provided as a separate button or as the same button, or it may be a slow release type manual switch that is closed for a preset time after the pressing operation. It does not matter.

  Further, instead of the manual switch 5, a sensor and a switch circuit are provided, and a sensor capable of detecting the replacement operation of the assembled battery is provided at the position of the terminal portion to which the electrode of the assembled battery is connected. A switch circuit that operates for a predetermined time in accordance with the detection result of the sensor may be configured to be connected in parallel with the switching element 4. With this configuration, the operator can return the power supply system from the stopped state only by performing the replacement operation of the assembled battery 1.

  Depending on the environment in which the power supply system according to the present invention is installed, for example, when other equipment is provided with return means for returning the power supply system from a stopped state, such as emergency disaster countermeasure equipment. May be configured in a form that does not include the above-described return switch in the power supply system.

  In the second and third embodiments, a diode 7 a that passes power only in the direction of power supply to the load 2 or the inverter 7 is inserted into the power supply line from the rectifier 6 to the load 2 or the inverter 7. In the above description, the diode 7b that passes power only in the direction of power supply to the control units 3 and 3A is inserted in the power supply line to the units 3 and 3A. However, depending on the configuration of the rectifier, the diodes 7a and 7b are inserted. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that is not.

  Further, in the second and third embodiments, when the power supply system is in a stopped state, the commercial AC power supply recovers, and the output from the rectifier 6 is combined with the power supply to the control units 3 and 3A. The case where the power supply system is automatically returned from the stopped state and the load 2 and the inverter 7 are operated when the charging operation to the battery 1 is resumed has been described. However, the present invention is limited to such a case. is not. For example, even if the charging operation to the assembled battery 1 is resumed, if the output voltage of the assembled battery 1 is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage threshold value or close to the voltage threshold value, the load 2 and the inverter 7 For example, the operation of the load 2 and the inverter 7 may be resumed after the charging operation to the assembled battery 1 is continued until a predetermined time elapses without resuming the operation. Alternatively, the operations of the load 2 and the inverter 7 may be stopped until the assembled battery 1 reaches a fully charged state.

  In the third embodiment, when the output voltage of the assembled battery 1 is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage threshold, the power supply to the control unit 3A is stopped and the operation of the inverter 7 is stopped. The inverter control unit 3d of the control unit 3A gives an instruction to stop the operation of the inverter 7 and the case where the operation of the inverter 7 is stopped has been described. The operation of the AC load 9 that is AC driven may also be stopped. In such a case, the control unit 3A is further provided with a load control unit 3c serving as a load control means for controlling operation / stop of the AC load 9, that is, load, and control for applying a control signal instructing operation / stop of the load. When the voltage level of the terminal for use reaches a zero potential level, the operation is instructed to stop.

  Further, in the third embodiment, as a switching means for switching between a power supply path for directly supplying commercial AC power from the AC input 12 to the AC load 9 and a power supply path for supplying output from the inverter 7 to the AC load 9. For example, although the example using the high-speed switch 10 that switches at high speed in a time within 10 ms has been described, the present invention is not limited to such a case, and for example, a mechanical relay may be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the 1st Example of the power supply system of this invention. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a flow of control of a load and a switching element by a control unit in the battery system shown in FIG. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the 2nd Example of the power supply system of this invention. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a flow of control of a load and a switching element by a control unit in the battery system shown in FIG. 3. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the 3rd Example of the power supply system of this invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a control flow of an inverter and a switching element by a control unit in the battery system shown in FIG. 5. It is a time chart for demonstrating an example of the control signal output to a load and a switching element from the control part of the power supply system shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of the power supply system which supplies commercial power to a load, charging a storage battery, and supplies the electric power which a storage battery outputs to a load at the time of a power failure.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Battery assembly, 2 ... Load, 3, 3A ... Control part, 3a ... Voltage monitoring part, 3b ... Switching element control part, 3c ... Load control part, 3d ... Inverter control part, 4 ... Switching element, 5 ... Manual switch , 6 ... Rectifier, 7 ... Inverter, 7a, 7b ... Diode, 8 ... Switch, 9 ... AC load, 10 ... High-speed switch, 11 ... Bypass circuit, 12 ... AC input.

Claims (14)

  An operation of the control unit in a power supply system including an assembled battery formed by connecting a plurality of batteries, supplying power output from the assembled battery to a load and supplying a control unit that controls the operation of the power supply system. When the power source is supplied from the assembled battery via a feeder line in which a switching element is inserted and the output voltage of the assembled battery exceeds a predetermined voltage threshold, the switching element is closed. In the state, when the power is supplied to the control unit, the control unit is operated, and the output voltage of the assembled battery is equal to or lower than the voltage threshold, the switching element is opened, and the control The power supply system, wherein power supply to the unit is stopped and the operation of the control unit is stopped.   An assembled battery formed by connecting a plurality of batteries; and a rectifier that converts alternating current power into direct current power, supplying the direct current power converted by the rectifier to a load, and operating the power supply system of the assembled battery. In a power supply system that supplies power to the control unit to be controlled and charges the assembled battery with DC power of the rectifier, the operation power of the control unit is supplied from the rectifier when the AC power is output. In addition, when the AC power is interrupted, the assembled battery is supplied from the assembled battery via a feeder line in which a switching element is inserted, and instead of the rectifier when the AC power is interrupted. When the output voltage of the assembled battery exceeds a predetermined voltage threshold in a state where power is supplied from the load to the load, the switching element is in a closed state, When power is supplied to the control unit, the control unit operates, and when the output voltage of the assembled battery is equal to or lower than the voltage threshold, the switching element is opened, and power is supplied to the control unit. Stops, and the operation of the control unit stops.   The power supply system according to claim 2, wherein when the load is an AC load driven by AC power, an inverter that converts DC power from the rectifier or the assembled battery into AC power is used as the inverter. A power supply system, wherein the power supply system is provided by being inserted into a power supply line for supplying power from each of the batteries to the load.   The power supply system according to claim 3, wherein a power supply path for directly supplying the AC power to be input to the rectifier to the AC load, a power supply path for supplying the AC power output from the inverter to the AC load, A power supply system comprising switching means for switching between the two.   5. The power supply system according to claim 4, wherein when the AC power is output, an operation power source of the switching unit is supplied from the rectifier and set to a power supply path for directly supplying the AC power to the AC load. In addition, when the AC power is out of power, the operation power of the switching means is supplied from the assembled battery via the feeder line in which the switching element is inserted, and the AC power output from the inverter Is set as a power supply path for supplying power to the AC load, and in the state where power is supplied from the assembled battery to the switching means instead of the rectifier during a power failure of the AC power, the output voltage of the assembled battery is When a predetermined voltage threshold is exceeded, the switching element is in a closed state, power is supplied to the switching means, and the assembled battery is discharged. If the voltage drops below the voltage threshold, the power supply system wherein the switching element is in an open state, power supply to the switching means, characterized in that the stop.   6. The power supply system according to claim 2, wherein power is supplied only to a power supply line from the rectifier to the control unit and / or the switching unit in a power supply direction to the control unit and / or the switching unit. A power supply system, wherein a diode for passing power is inserted, and a diode that passes power only in a power feeding direction from the rectifier to the load or the inverter in a power feeding direction to the load or the inverter.   7. The power supply system according to claim 1, wherein when the output voltage of the assembled battery exceeds a predetermined voltage threshold, the load and / or the inverter operates, When the output voltage becomes equal to or lower than the voltage threshold, the operation of the load and / or the inverter is stopped.   8. The power supply system according to claim 1, wherein an external switch operable by a user is connected in parallel with the switching element, and the external switch is closed when the assembled battery is replaced. Thus, power supply from the replaced assembled battery to the control unit and / or the switching unit is started.   9. The power supply system according to claim 8, wherein the external switch is closed while the user is operating or for a predetermined time after the user's operation.   8. The power supply system according to claim 1, further comprising: a sensor that detects that the assembled battery has been replaced, wherein a switch circuit is connected in parallel with the switching element, and according to a detection result of the sensor. By closing the switch circuit, power supply from the replaced assembled battery to the control unit and / or the switching unit is started, and the switch circuit is opened after a predetermined time has elapsed. And power system.   The power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control unit includes a voltage monitoring unit that monitors an output voltage of the assembled battery, a switching element control unit that controls opening and closing of the switching element, and the load. Load control means for controlling the operation and operation stop of the inverter and / or inverter control means for controlling the operation and operation stop of the inverter, and the voltage monitoring unit has an output voltage of the assembled battery exceeding the voltage threshold value The switching element control means closes the switching element, and the load control means and / or the inverter control means starts the operation of the load and / or the inverter, The voltage monitoring unit has an output voltage of the assembled battery equal to or lower than the voltage threshold value. When detected, the load control means and / or the inverter control means stops the operation of the load and / or the inverter, and then the switching element control means opens the switching element. .   12. The power supply system according to claim 11, wherein a voltage level of an open control signal output from the switching element control unit to the switching element, and the load and / or the load control unit and / or the inverter control unit. When the voltage level of the control signal for stopping the operation output to the inverter is set to a zero potential level and the power supply to the control unit is stopped, the switching element is opened, and the operation of the load and / or the inverter is stopped. A power supply system characterized by   13. The power supply system according to claim 12, wherein when the voltage monitoring unit detects that the output voltage of the assembled battery is equal to or lower than the voltage threshold, the load control unit and / or the inverter control unit controls the load and / or Or without performing the operation to stop the operation of the inverter, by performing only the operation of opening the switching element by the switching element control means, to stop the power supply from the assembled battery to the control unit, A power supply system characterized in that the open state of the switching element is continued and the operation of the load and / or the inverter is stopped.   14. The power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the battery constituting the assembled battery is a nickel hydride storage battery or a lead storage battery.

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