JP2011050209A - Electric double-layer capacitor power supply using intermediate tap in switched capacitor system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply system capable of controlling an output voltage in multiple steps without depending on the number of serial connections of an electric double-layer capacitor module. <P>SOLUTION: The power supply system includes a circuit module having a power storage switching circuit including two or more power storage elements and two or more switching elements and a first switch group, a power supply connected to a first terminal of the circuit module, a voltage detection means by which a voltage of the power supply is detected, and a switch control means by which switches included in the first group are switched based on the voltage detection result from the voltage detection means. This system is constituted so that the voltage applied to a load connected to a second terminal of the circuit module is adjusted within a predetermined rang by switching the switches included in the first switch group by the switch control means in accordance with the power supply voltage detected by the voltage detection means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a voltage converter. More specifically, the present invention relates to a circuit module that can be used to adjust the power supply voltage within the operating voltage range of the device, a power supply device using the circuit module, and a means for controlling the power supply device. The present invention relates to a power supply system including

  In general, when any device is operated by electric power, it is necessary to supply power within a predetermined operating voltage range determined by the characteristics of the device. This is because electronic devices operate within a predetermined voltage range according to individual characteristics, but operation becomes unstable or non-operation outside the operating voltage range. In particular, when an electric double layer capacitor (including a hybrid capacitor, a redox capacitor, etc.) having a very high electric capacity is used as a power source, the output voltage varies depending on the state of charge / discharge in the electric double layer capacitor. Therefore, some voltage conversion device for converting the fluctuating output voltage into the voltage within the operating range of the electronic device is required.

  As means for converting a power supply voltage supplied from a power source into an operating voltage range, a DC-DC converter using a transformer or a coil has been widely used. However, in such a transformer, the size of the circuit including the coil becomes relatively large, the weight of the transformer as a whole increases due to components such as an iron core, and loss. There are disadvantages such as an increase in.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of electric double layer capacitor modules C _x1 , C _x2 ,..., C _xn , C _y1 , C _{y2 ,.} In a system configured using a capacitor bank, the number of electric double layer capacitor modules connected to a load by providing a plurality of intermediate tap output terminals and switches S ₀ , S ₁ , S ₂ ,... S _m An electric double layer capacitor power supply device has been proposed in which the fluctuation range of the output voltage is made small by switching the switch with a switch (Patent Document 1). In this circuit, the voltage detection circuit detects the voltage of part or all of the electric double layer capacitor modules C _x1 , C _x2 ,..., C _xn , C _y1 , C _{y2 ,.} The comparison judgment circuit makes a comparison judgment with the reference voltage so that the fluctuation of the voltage applied to the load is within the operation range, and the switch control circuit switches the switches S ₀ , S ₁ , S ₂ ,. It operates to switch S _m sequentially.

The load voltage during operation is shown in FIG. As an initial state, S ₀ are turned on, the other switches are off. Therefore, the load voltage is equal to the sum of the voltages of C _{x1 to} C _xn . Although the load voltage decreases with the progress of discharge, when the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor bank detected by the voltage detection circuit becomes lower than the value preset by the comparison determination circuit, S ₀ is set using the switch control circuit. At the same time as turning off, S ₁ is turned on. At this time, _{Cy 1} is newly connected to the load, so the load voltage rises. By repeating such a series of operations, the load voltage is adjusted within an arbitrary range.

JP 2000-209775 A

  However, since the power supply apparatus employs a method in which the load voltage is controlled by changing the number of electric double layer capacitor modules that contribute to the output voltage by switching, a large number of load voltage controls are required for multi-stage load voltage control. It is necessary to connect the electric double layer capacitor modules in series. When the number of electric double layer capacitor modules connected in series is small, for example, when the power supply system of FIG. 1 is configured with two series electric double layer capacitor modules, the output voltage can be adjusted only in two stages. Further, since the unit for adjusting the output voltage is equal to the voltage of one electric double layer capacitor module, it is difficult to finely control the output voltage and lacks flexibility.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a storage element circuit configured to include a storage element for sharing the voltage of an electric double layer capacitor module, and outputs a voltage from the storage element circuit to each storage element voltage. Provided is a circuit module provided with a switch group for adjusting in steps in units. By setting the storage element circuit as a storage element switching circuit constituting a switched capacitor system, the unit of the adjustment voltage can be set to a constant value. By connecting an electric double layer capacitor module to this circuit module, a power supply device is provided that enables output voltage adjustment in finer adjustment units than the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module.

  In particular, the storage element switching circuit is configured in a cascaded multi-stage configuration as will be described later in the embodiments, thereby enabling output voltage adjustment in a finer unit with a smaller number of elements.

  The present invention is a second power storage element switching circuit including a first power storage element switching circuit including two or more power storage elements and two or more switch elements, and two or more power storage elements and two or more switch elements. A second storage element switching circuit connected in cascade with one or more storage elements included in the first storage element switching circuit, and a switch connected between the second storage element switching circuit and the first terminal And a power supply connected to a second terminal of the circuit module, wherein the switch group turns on one of the switches included in the switch group. By connecting the first terminal to the first terminal by switching between two or more connection states in which the power storage element group existing in the path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal is at least partially different Characterized in that it is configured to adjust the voltage applied to the load stepwise, to provide a power supply device.

  As described above, by configuring a system by cascading a plurality of storage element switching circuits, fine voltage adjustment with a small number of elements can be performed. In addition, as will be described in detail in the embodiments described later, by appropriately selecting at which point in the first storage element switching circuit the second storage element switching circuit is specifically cascade-connected, It is possible to select a voltage adjustment unit.

  The present invention also provides a first storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements, and a second storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements. A second storage element switching circuit connected in cascade with one or more storage elements included in the first storage element switching circuit, and connected between the second storage element switching circuit and the first terminal. A power supply device comprising: a circuit group comprising a switch group; and a power source connected to a first terminal of the circuit module, wherein the switch group is any of the switches included in the switch group. By turning on one of them, switching between two or more connected states in which at least part of the storage element groups existing in the path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal are different is performed. By changing, characterized in that the voltage applied to the load connected to the second terminal configured to stepwise adjust, to provide a power supply device.

  The load voltage can also be adjusted by appropriately changing the terminal to which the power supply is connected. In one embodiment described later, the input / output voltage ratio value is changed to the reciprocal of the value before the replacement by exchanging each connection terminal for connecting the power source and the load. Therefore, depending on the relationship between the supply voltage from the power supply and the operating voltage range at the load, the connection terminal is appropriately selected whether the power supply voltage needs to be stepped up or stepped down. However, the power supply device according to the present invention can be used.

  The present invention also provides a first storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements, and a second storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements. A second storage element switching circuit connected in cascade with one or more storage elements included in the first storage element switching circuit, and connected between the second storage element switching circuit and the first terminal. A circuit module comprising a first switch group, a second switch group connected between the second storage element switching circuit and the second terminal, and a power source connected to the second terminal The first switch group connects the first terminal and the second terminal by turning on one of the switches included in the first switch group. The voltage applied to the load connected to the first terminal is adjusted stepwise by switching between two or more connection states in which the power storage element group existing in the path is at least partially different, When at least one of the switches included in the second switch group is turned on, the switch group includes at least a storage element group present in a path connecting the second terminal and the common potential point in the circuit module. A unit for adjusting a voltage applied to the load that is adjusted by switching the first switch group is supplied by the power source. Determined by the power supply voltage and the configuration of the storage element group existing in the path connecting the second terminal and the common potential point, which is changed by switching the second switch group Characterized in that it is, to provide a power supply device.

  In this embodiment, the second switch group is provided in the circuit module, thereby enabling the load voltage adjustment unit to be changed by switching.

  In addition, the present invention provides a storage element switching circuit from the first stage to the n-th stage (n is an integer of 2 or more), which includes two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements, a first switch group, The k-th storage element switching circuit (k is an integer of 2 or more) is cascade-connected to one or more storage elements included in the k-1th storage element switching circuit. The first switch group switches between two or more connection states in which at least part of the power storage element groups existing in the path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal of the circuit module are different. A circuit module is provided that is configured as described above.

  It is possible to configure a circuit module according to the present invention using an arbitrary number of storage element switching circuits, and in particular, by increasing the number of storage element switching circuits, a more fine-tuned input / output voltage ratio can be achieved. Realization is possible. In addition, by making the voltage applied to the storage element in each storage element switching circuit uniform by switching, the adjustment increment when adjusting the load voltage by switching the first switch group can be made constant. It becomes.

Specifically, in the case where a circuit module is configured by using n storage element switching circuits, each of the first stage, second bullet ... nth stage storage element switching circuits has N ₁ , N ₂ , if ... and a n _n-number of series-connected storage element, as shown in the examples below, the lowest possible as a unit of input to output voltage ratio is _{1 / (n 1 n 2 ...} n n ) That is, the circuit module as a whole is approximately twice as large as N ₁ + N ₂ +... + N _n which is the total number of power storage elements used in each stage (a factor when considering power storage elements used for voltage equalization). Yes, depending on the circuit configuration, a value other than 2 can be used.) By using the storage element, it is possible to finely adjust the voltage with the minimum value 1 / (N ₁ N ₂ ... N _n ).

On the other hand, in order to perform voltage adjustment in the same minimum unit by a switched capacitor system having a single stage configuration, it is necessary to connect N ₁ N ₂ ... N _n capacitors in series, and capacitors used for voltage equalization. Is taken into consideration, the total number of required capacitors is approximately twice as large as N ₁ N ₂ ... N _n .

  Specifically, for example, in the case of performing voltage adjustment in units of 1/100 of the power supply voltage, if the two-stage circuit module according to the present invention is used, the number of necessary storage elements is (10 + 10) × 2 = 40 (If a switched capacitor system similar to the embodiment described later is used in each stage, it is 38).

  On the other hand, if voltage adjustment in the same minimum unit is performed by a single-stage switched capacitor system, about 100 × 2 = 200 capacitors are required.

  Thus, according to the present invention, the number of power storage elements necessary for voltage adjustment can be greatly reduced. Similarly, the number of switches required is greatly reduced.

  The power storage element is preferably a capacitor or a secondary battery. Furthermore, at least a part of the power storage element may be a power storage module including two or more capacitors or secondary batteries. Even when two or more capacitors or secondary batteries are connected in series and in parallel, they can be handled in the same way as a storage element by appropriately calculating the combined capacity.

  The first switch group is preferably constituted by an electronic switch (semiconductor switch) using an FET, a thyristor, a photo MOS relay, or the like. Alternatively, the first switch group may be composed of a mechanical switch with a slow response speed, such as a power relay.

  The circuit module according to the present invention preferably further includes a second switch group. The second switch group is a switch between two or more connection states in which at least a part of the power storage element group existing in a path connecting the first terminal or the second terminal and the common potential point in the circuit module is different. It is a switch group that enables

  By using the second switch group, the voltage adjustment according to the present invention can be further improved. Specifically, the adjustment unit of the load voltage can be changed by switching using the second switch group.

  The circuit module is not limited to the electric double layer capacitor module, and can be connected to an arbitrary power source.

  The present invention also provides a power supply system provided with means for controlling the power supply apparatus in addition to the power supply apparatus. This power supply system includes a power storage module such as an electric double layer capacitor module, a lithium ion capacitor, and a secondary battery, or voltage detection means for monitoring the voltage of a load connected to the power supply system, and the power storage module or the voltage of the load. Switch control means for performing appropriate switch switching according to fluctuations in the output voltage and adjusting the output voltage within the operating voltage range.

  That is, the present invention is a storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements, and a switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, The voltage applied to the load connected to the first terminal is stepwise by switching between two or more connection states in which the power storage element group existing in the path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal is at least partially different A switch module configured to be adjusted to a voltage, a power storage module connected to a second terminal of the circuit module, a voltage detection means for detecting a voltage of the power storage module, and the voltage detection means Switch control means for switching a switch included in the switch group based on the detection result of the voltage from the switch group, and detected by the voltage detection means The voltage applied to the load connected to the first terminal of the circuit module is adjusted within a predetermined range by switching the switches included in the switch group by the switch control means according to the voltage of the electric module. Provided is a power system characterized by being configured.

  In the power supply system having the above configuration, it is not necessary to connect a large number of power storage modules in series. Further, by switching the switch, it is possible to adjust the load voltage not in units of voltage of the storage module but in units of storage element voltage. As will be described later in the embodiments, the voltage of the power storage module is shared and applied to each power storage element, so that this power supply system enables finer voltage adjustment than before.

  In addition, since the power supply system is provided with a voltage detection means and a switch control means, the output voltage is always kept within the operating voltage range of the load by switching the switch group at any time according to the voltage of the changing power storage module. It becomes possible to adjust to. It is not necessary to connect the voltage detection means directly to the power storage module, and it is possible to connect it to any capacitor in the power storage element switching circuit, for example. As shown in the examples described later, since a specific relational expression is established between the voltage of each power storage element and the voltage of the power storage module according to a specific circuit configuration, the power storage module is detected after detecting the voltage of the power storage element. This is because it is also possible to calculate the voltage. The voltage detection means in the description of the claims includes arbitrary detection means configured to directly and indirectly detect the voltage of the power storage module as described above.

  The present invention also includes a storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements, and a switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, The voltage applied to the load connected to the first terminal is stepwise by switching between two or more connection states in which the power storage element group existing in the path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal is at least partially different A switch module configured to adjust to the circuit module, a power storage module connected to a second terminal of the circuit module, voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the load, and from the voltage detection means Switch control means for switching the switches included in the switch group based on the detection result of the voltage of the switch, and responding to the voltage of the load detected by the voltage detection means. The voltage applied to the load connected to the first terminal of the circuit module is adjusted within a predetermined range by switching the switches included in the switch group by the switch control means. A power supply system is provided.

  The voltage detection can be performed directly on the load, not on the power storage module.

  The present invention is also a storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements, and a switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, The voltage applied to the load connected to the second terminal is switched by switching between two or more connection states in which the power storage element group existing in the path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal is at least partially different A switch module configured to adjust the power supply, a power storage module connected to a first terminal of the circuit module, voltage detection means for detecting a voltage of the power storage module, and the voltage detection Switch control means for switching a switch included in the switch group based on a voltage detection result from the means, and the storage detected by the voltage detection means. A configuration in which a voltage applied to a load connected to the second terminal of the circuit module is adjusted within a predetermined range by switching a switch included in the switch group by the switch control unit according to a voltage of the module. A power supply system is provided.

  The load voltage can also be adjusted by appropriately changing the terminal connected to the power storage module. In one embodiment to be described later, the input / output voltage ratio value is changed to the reciprocal of the value before the replacement by exchanging each connection terminal for connecting the power storage module and the load. Therefore, depending on the relationship between the supply voltage of the power storage module and the operating voltage range at the load, the connection terminal is appropriately set whether the power supply voltage needs to be boosted or has to be stepped down. It is possible to use the power supply system according to the present invention while selecting.

  The present invention is also a storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements, and a switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, The voltage applied to the load connected to the second terminal is switched by switching between two or more connection states in which the power storage element group existing in the path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal is at least partially different A switch module configured to be adjusted automatically, a power storage module connected to a first terminal of the circuit module, voltage detection means for detecting a voltage of the load, and the voltage detection means Switch control means for switching the switches included in the switch group based on the detection result of the voltage from the switch group, the voltage of the load detected by the voltage detection means The switch control means is configured to adjust the voltage applied to the load connected to the second terminal of the circuit module within a predetermined range by switching the switches included in the switch group. A power supply system is provided.

  In this embodiment, voltage detection is performed directly on the load, not on the power storage module.

  In addition, the present invention is a storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements, and a first switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the first terminal. The voltage applied to the load connected to the first terminal by switching between two or more connection states in which the power storage element group existing in the path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal is at least partially different A second switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the second terminal, wherein the second terminal and the common potential point are connected to each other. An adjustment unit of a voltage applied to the load adjusted by switching of the first switch group by switching between two or more connection states in which at least a part of the storage element group present in the path connecting the two is different A circuit module comprising: a second switch group configured to determine; a power storage module connected to a second terminal of the circuit module; voltage detection means for detecting a voltage of the power storage module; and the voltage Switch control means for switching the switches included in the first and second switch groups based on the detection result of the voltage from the detection means, and according to the voltage of the power storage module detected by the voltage detection means The voltage applied to the load connected to the first terminal of the circuit module is adjusted within a predetermined range by switching the switches included in the first and second switch groups by the switch control means. A power supply system is provided.

  In this embodiment, the second switch group is provided in the circuit module, thereby enabling the load voltage adjustment unit to be changed by switching.

  In addition, the present invention is a storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements, and a first switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the first terminal. The voltage applied to the load connected to the first terminal by switching between two or more connection states in which the power storage element group existing in the path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal is at least partially different A second switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the second terminal, wherein the second terminal and the common potential point are connected to each other. An adjustment unit of a voltage applied to the load adjusted by switching of the first switch group by switching between two or more connection states in which at least a part of the storage element group present in the path connecting the two is different A circuit module comprising: a second switch group configured to determine; a power storage module connected to a second terminal of the circuit module; voltage detection means for detecting a voltage of the load; and the voltage detection Switch control means for switching the switches included in the first and second switch groups based on the detection result of the voltage from the means, and according to the voltage of the load detected by the voltage detection means, The voltage applied to the load connected to the first terminal of the circuit module is adjusted within a predetermined range by switching the switches included in the first and second switch groups by the switch control means. A power supply system is provided.

  In this embodiment, voltage detection is performed directly on the load, not on the power storage module.

  In addition, the present invention is connected in cascade with a first power storage element switching circuit including two or more power storage elements and two or more switch elements, and one or more power storage elements included in the first power storage element switching circuit. A second power storage element switching circuit including two or more power storage elements and two or more switch elements, and a switch group connected between the second power storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, The voltage applied to the load connected to the first terminal is stepwise by switching between two or more connection states in which the power storage element group existing in the path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal is at least partially different A switch module configured to adjust to a power supply module; a power storage module connected to a second terminal of the circuit module; and a power supply for detecting a voltage of the power storage module. Detection means and switch control means for switching a switch included in the switch group based on a detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means, and according to the voltage of the power storage module detected by the voltage detection means The voltage applied to the load connected to the first terminal of the circuit module is adjusted within a predetermined range by switching the switches included in the switch group by the switch control means. A power supply system is provided.

  As described above, by configuring the system by cascading a plurality of power storage element switching circuits, further fine voltage adjustment is possible. In addition, as will be described in detail in the embodiments described later, by appropriately selecting at which point in the first storage element switching circuit the second storage element switching circuit is specifically cascade-connected, It is possible to select a voltage adjustment unit.

  In addition, the present invention is connected in cascade with a first power storage element switching circuit including two or more power storage elements and two or more switch elements, and one or more power storage elements included in the first power storage element switching circuit. A second power storage element switching circuit including two or more power storage elements and two or more switch elements, and a switch group connected between the second power storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, The voltage applied to the load connected to the first terminal is stepwise by switching between two or more connection states in which the power storage element group existing in the path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal is at least partially different A switch module configured to adjust to a voltage, a power storage module connected to a second terminal of the circuit module, and voltage detection means for detecting a voltage of the load Switch control means for switching a switch included in the switch group based on a detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means, and the switch according to the voltage of the load detected by the voltage detection means A power supply configured to adjust a voltage applied to a load connected to the first terminal of the circuit module within a predetermined range by switching a switch included in the switch group by a control unit. Provide a system.

  In this embodiment, voltage detection is performed directly on the load, not on the power storage module.

  In addition, the present invention is connected in cascade with a first power storage element switching circuit including two or more power storage elements and two or more switch elements, and one or more power storage elements included in the first power storage element switching circuit. A second power storage element switching circuit including two or more power storage elements and two or more switch elements, and a switch group connected between the second power storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, The voltage applied to the load connected to the second terminal is stepwise by switching between two or more connection states in which the storage element group existing in the path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal is at least partially different A switch module configured to adjust to a power supply module, a power storage module connected to a first terminal of the circuit module, and a power supply for detecting a voltage of the power storage module Detection means and switch control means for switching a switch included in the switch group based on a detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means, and according to the voltage of the power storage module detected by the voltage detection means The voltage applied to the load connected to the second terminal of the circuit module is adjusted within a predetermined range by switching the switches included in the switch group by the switch control means. A power supply system is provided.

  By appropriately changing the terminals for connecting the power storage modules and cascading a plurality of power storage element switching circuits, the system can be configured to perform step-up and step-down finely.

  In addition, the present invention is connected in cascade with a first power storage element switching circuit including two or more power storage elements and two or more switch elements, and one or more power storage elements included in the first power storage element switching circuit. A second power storage element switching circuit including two or more power storage elements and two or more switch elements, and a switch group connected between the second power storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, The voltage applied to the load connected to the second terminal is stepwise by switching between two or more connection states in which the storage element group existing in the path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal is at least partially different A switch module configured to adjust to a voltage, a power storage module connected to a first terminal of the circuit module, and a voltage detection means for detecting a voltage of the load Switch control means for switching a switch included in the switch group based on a detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means, and the switch according to the voltage of the load detected by the voltage detection means A power supply configured to adjust a voltage applied to a load connected to a second terminal of the circuit module within a predetermined range by switching a switch included in the switch group by a control unit. Provide a system.

  In this embodiment, voltage detection is performed directly on the load, not on the power storage module.

  In addition, the present invention is connected in cascade with a first power storage element switching circuit including two or more power storage elements and two or more switch elements, and one or more power storage elements included in the first power storage element switching circuit. A second storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements; a first switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the first terminal; The voltage applied to the load connected to the first terminal is stepwise by switching between two or more connection states in which the power storage element group existing in the path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal is at least partially different And a second switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the second terminal, the second switch group being connected to the common potential point. An adjustment unit of a voltage applied to the load adjusted by switching of the first switch group is determined by switching between two or more connection states in which at least a part of the storage element group existing therein is different A configured circuit module comprising a second switch group, a power storage module connected to a second terminal of the circuit module, a voltage detection means for detecting a voltage of the power storage module, and the voltage detection means Switch control means for switching the switches included in the first and second switch groups based on the detection result of the voltage, and the switch according to the voltage of the power storage module detected by the voltage detection means The first terminal of the circuit module is switched by switching the switches included in the first and second switch groups by the control means. Characterized in that it is configured to adjust the voltage applied to the connected load within a predetermined range, to provide a power supply system.

  If a plurality of storage element switching circuits are cascade-connected and the second switch group is provided in the circuit module, particularly fine step-up / step-down can be performed without exchanging connection terminals.

  In addition, the present invention is connected in cascade with a first power storage element switching circuit including two or more power storage elements and two or more switch elements, and one or more power storage elements included in the first power storage element switching circuit. A second storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements; a first switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the first terminal; The voltage applied to the load connected to the first terminal is stepwise by switching between two or more connection states in which the power storage element group existing in the path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal is at least partially different And a second switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the second terminal, the second switch group being connected to the common potential point. An adjustment unit of a voltage applied to the load adjusted by switching of the first switch group is determined by switching between two or more connection states in which at least a part of the storage element group existing therein is different A circuit module comprising a second switch group, a power storage module connected to a second terminal of the circuit module, a voltage detection means for detecting a voltage of the load, and a voltage detection means from the voltage detection means. Switch control means for switching a switch included in the first and second switch groups based on a voltage detection result, and the switch control means according to the voltage of the load detected by the voltage detection means By switching the switches included in the first and second switch groups, the load connected to the first terminal of the circuit module is marked. Characterized in that it is configured to adjust the voltage to be within a predetermined range, to provide a power supply system.

  In this embodiment, voltage detection is performed directly on the load, not on the power storage module.

  As the power storage module, an electric double layer capacitor module, a lithium ion capacitor, a secondary battery or the like can be used, but is not limited thereto.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a circuit module including a storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements, and a first switch group, and connected to a first terminal of the circuit module. A power supply; voltage detection means for detecting a voltage of the power supply; and switch control means for switching a switch included in the first switch group based on a detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means. A voltage to be applied to a load connected to the second terminal of the circuit module by switching the switch included in the first switch group by the switch control unit according to the voltage of the power source detected by the detection unit. Provided is a power supply system configured to adjust within a predetermined range.

  Any power source other than the power storage module can be used in the power system of the present invention.

  Further, the present invention is connected to a circuit module including a storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements, and a first switch group, and to a first terminal of the circuit module. Based on the detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means, the voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the load connected to the second terminal of the circuit module, the switch included in the first switch group A switch control means for switching, and a voltage to be applied to the load by switching a switch included in the first switch group by the switch control means according to a voltage of the load detected by the voltage detection means. The power supply system is characterized in that the power supply system is configured to be adjusted within a predetermined range.

  In this embodiment, voltage detection is performed directly on the load, not on the power storage module.

  The present invention also includes a first to n-th power storage element switching circuit (n is an integer of 2 or more), a first switch group, each including two or more power storage elements and two or more switch elements. And the k-th (k is an integer of 2 or more) power storage element switching circuit is cascade-connected to one or more power storage elements included in the k-1th power storage element switching circuit. And a power supply connected to the first terminal of the circuit module, a voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the power supply, and a switch included in the switch group based on a detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means. Switch control means for switching, and switches the switches included in the first switch group by the switch control means according to the voltage of the power source detected by the voltage detection means. By changing, characterized in that it is configured to adjust the range of the voltage applied to the predetermined load which is connected to the second terminal of the circuit module, to provide a power supply system.

  By configuring the system by cascading a plurality of storage element switching circuits, further fine voltage adjustment is possible. In addition, as will be described in detail in the embodiments described later, by appropriately selecting at which point in the first storage element switching circuit the second storage element switching circuit is specifically cascade-connected, It is possible to select a voltage adjustment unit.

  In addition, the present invention provides a storage element switching circuit from the first stage to the n-th stage (n is an integer of 2 or more), the first switch, each including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements. A circuit in which the k-th storage element switching circuit (k is an integer of 2 or more) is cascade-connected to one or more storage elements included in the k-1th storage element switching circuit. A module, a power source connected to the first terminal of the circuit module, a voltage detection means for detecting a voltage of a load connected to the second terminal of the circuit module, and a voltage detection result from the voltage detection means. Switch control means for switching the switches included in the switch group based on the voltage of the load detected by the voltage detection means. By switching the switches included in the first switch group, characterized in that it is configured to adjust the voltage applied to the load within a predetermined range, to provide a power supply system.

  In this embodiment, voltage detection is performed directly on the load, not on the power storage module.

  Note that the use of a power storage module such as an electric double layer capacitor module, a lithium ion capacitor, or a secondary battery as the power supply is particularly beneficial from the viewpoint of preventing unstable operation of the electronic device due to a large voltage fluctuation.

  Further, the power storage element is preferably a capacitor or a secondary battery. Furthermore, at least a part of the power storage element may be a power storage module including two or more capacitors or secondary batteries. Even when two or more capacitors or secondary batteries are connected in series and in parallel, they can be handled in the same way as a storage element by appropriately calculating the combined capacity.

  The first switch group is preferably constituted by an electronic switch (semiconductor switch) using an FET, a thyristor, a photo MOS relay, or the like. Alternatively, the first switch group may be composed of a mechanical switch with a slow response speed, such as a power relay.

  The circuit module according to the present invention preferably further includes a second switch group. The second switch group enables switching between two or more connected states in which at least a part of the power storage element group existing in the path connecting the first terminal and the common potential point in the circuit module is different. It is a switch group.

  By using the second switch group, the voltage adjustment according to the present invention can be further improved. Specifically, the adjustment unit of the load voltage can be changed by switching using the second switch group.

  By using the above power supply system, the output voltage can be adjusted in multiple stages even in the case of using the electric double layer capacitor module with a small number of series connections in the voltage converter for the electric double layer capacitor module using the intermediate tap terminal. It becomes possible. In particular, the configuration using the storage element switching circuit and the switch group allows the fluctuation range of the output voltage to be set to an individual storage element voltage that is a finer value instead of the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module. It becomes.

  Further, it is possible to always adjust the output voltage within the operating voltage range of the load by detecting the voltage change of the electric double layer capacitor module and appropriately switching according to the fluctuating voltage.

  In the above power supply system, if the circuit module and the power supply apparatus taught by the present invention are used, the output voltage with respect to the input voltage can be adjusted with a fine arbitrary ratio with a small number of capacitors and switches. .

Specifically, in the case of using a circuit module that includes N ₁ , N ₂ ,..., N _n storage devices connected in series, and in which n storage device switching circuits are connected in cascade, It becomes possible to take 1 / (N ₁ N ₂ ... N _n ) as a voltage ratio adjustment unit.

On the other hand, N ₁ N ₂ ... N _n capacitors must be connected in series in order to perform voltage adjustment in the same unit using a single-stage switching capacitor.

  As finer and more precise adjustment is required, the effect of reducing the number of elements brought about by the present invention becomes more significant, and the switched capacitor system can be greatly reduced in size and weight.

This is a conventional power supply system using an electric double layer capacitor module. It is the load voltage obtained by the power supply system of FIG. It is a power supply device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a power supply device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a power supply device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. Compared with the first embodiment, each connection terminal that connects the power supply device and the load is exchanged. It is a power supply device which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. Compared with the second embodiment, each connection terminal for connecting the power supply device and the load is exchanged. A power supply device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, comprising two switch groups. It is a power supply device which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention. By providing three storage element switching circuits, finer output voltage adjustment is possible. It is a power supply system which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is the load voltage at the time of discharge of the power supply system of FIG. 9, and an electric double layer capacitor module voltage. It is a power supply system which concerns on 8th Embodiment of this invention. It is the load voltage at the time of discharge of the power supply system of FIG. 11, and an electric double layer capacitor module voltage. It is a power supply system which concerns on 9th Embodiment of this invention. It is a power supply system which concerns on 10th Embodiment of this invention. It is the load voltage at the time of discharge of the power supply system of FIG. 14, and an electric double layer capacitor module voltage. It is a power supply system which concerns on 11th Embodiment of this invention. It is the load voltage at the time of discharge of the power supply system of FIG. 16, and an electric double layer capacitor module voltage. It is a power supply system which concerns on 12th Embodiment of this invention.

  With reference to FIGS. 3 to 8, embodiments of the circuit module and the power supply device according to the present invention will be described. These are suitable for use in the power supply systems of Examples 7 to 12 described later, but are not limited to such applications, and as circuit modules and power supply devices themselves have properties superior to those of the prior art. . In addition, although each electrical storage element switching circuit in the Example of FIGS. 3-8 has 3 series structure, this is only an example, Comprising: The number of the electrical storage elements connected in series in this invention is arbitrary. Although each power storage element is described as a capacitor, this may be an arbitrary element that can be charged and discharged, such as a secondary battery, or a module that includes a plurality of elements. The capacity of each power storage element may also be different. Similarly, the specific configuration of the switch group and the voltage equalizing power storage element is not limited to the specific configuration shown in the figure, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the present invention.

Configuration of Power Supply Device 1 FIG. 3 shows a power supply device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The power supply device 1 is a power supply 4 connected to the second terminal with respect to the load 3 connected to the first terminal of the circuit module 2 (which will be described as a DC power supply in the following example, but an AC power supply is used) When the load voltage is applied, the load voltage is adjusted to be within the operating voltage range of the load 3 by switching in the circuit module 2. Note that the load 3 is not limited to a resistor, and any load such as an arbitrary element, module, or device that operates by electric power can be used.

  The circuit module 2 includes a first storage element switching circuit 5, a second storage element switching circuit 6, and a switch group 7 including switches S1 to S4.

  The first storage element switching circuit 5 includes capacitors C1 to C5 and switches Q1 to Q6. For the capacitor C1, the second storage element switching circuit 6 includes capacitors C6 to C10 and switches Q7 to Q12. Is connected.

  Note that the power storage element switching circuit that can be used in the present invention is not limited to the specific configuration described above, and any power storage element switching circuit configured to eliminate voltage variation in the power storage element group can be used. The same applies to Examples 2 to 12 described later.

  In this case, the capacitors C6, C7, C8 in the second storage element switching circuit 6 are connected in parallel with the capacitor C1 in the first storage element switching circuit 5, and thus can be charged and discharged with each other. Also, the capacitors C9, C10 Is chargeable / dischargeable with C6, C7, and C8 by switching Q7 to Q12.

  Therefore, the multistage connection by the 1st, 2nd electrical storage element switching circuit which enables the mutual charge / discharge between the capacitor C1 and each capacitor in the 2nd electrical storage element switching circuit 6 is comprised. That is, a cascade connection is made in which the voltage of the capacitor C1 is distributed to the capacitors C6 to C10.

  Here, by alternately switching the odd-numbered switch and the even-numbered switch at high frequency, the voltage shared by C1 to C5 and the voltage shared by C6 to C10 are made uniform.

  Specifically, regarding C1 to C5, when the odd numbered switch is ON, the capacitors C1 and C4 and the capacitors C2 and C5 are respectively connected in parallel. If there is a variation, mutual charging / discharging is performed and the voltage variation is eliminated. On the other hand, when the even-numbered switch is on, capacitors C2 and C4 and C3 And C5 are connected in parallel to each other, so that when voltage variation occurs between the capacitors, mutual charge / discharge is performed and the voltage variation is eliminated.

  By repeating switching, each capacitor performs mutual charge / discharge directly or indirectly (through other capacitors) with all other capacitors, and thus the voltages of the capacitors C1 to C5 are equalized. The Rukoto. By the same mutual charge and discharge, the voltages of the capacitors C6 to C10 are also made uniform.

Determination of Load Voltage In such a circuit module 2, the load voltage is applied from the power source 4 to the load 3 by turning on any one of the switches S1 to S4. However, the value of the load voltage differs depending on which switch is turned on during S1 to S4.

  Hereinafter, after determining the voltage applied to each capacitor, the load voltage for each of the switches S1 to S4 when turned on is specifically calculated.

First, the voltages of the capacitors C1 to C5 and C6 to C10 are determined (the voltages applied to these are independent of which of S1 to S4 is turned on). The voltages C1 to C5 and the voltages C6 to C10 are made uniform by switching, and can be expressed as V ₁ and V ₂ , respectively.

Since C1 and the second storage element switching circuit 6 are connected in cascade, the sum of the voltages of C6, C7, and C8 is equal to the voltage of C1. That is, V ₁ = V ₂ + V ₂ + V ₂ = 3V ₂ (1)
It becomes.

The common potential point 15 (corresponding to the common potential point in the claims) from the power source 4 through the connection points 16, 8, 12, capacitor C1, connection point 13, capacitor C2, connection point 14, and capacitor C3. Considering the voltage drop along the path leading to, the following equation is established when the power supply voltage is V _in .
V _in = V ₁ + V ₁ + V ₁ = 3V ₁ (2)
Combining the above equations (1) and (2), it is determined that V ₁ = (1/3) V _in and V ₂ = (1/9) V _in .

Next, the load voltage _Vout when the switch S1 is turned on is determined.

Since there is no element that causes a voltage drop in the path from the power source 4 to the connection point 16 and the switch S1 to the load 3, all the voltage from the power source 4 becomes a load to the load 3. That is,
V _out = V _in (3)
Is determined.

Next, the load voltage _Vout when the switch S2 is turned on is determined.
In the path from the power source 4 to the connection points 16 and 8, the capacitor C6, the connection point 9, and the switch S2 to the load 3, a voltage drop of V ₂ = (1/9) V _in is generated by the capacitor C6. .
Therefore, the load voltage _Vout is
V _in = (1/9) V _in + V _out (4)
Thus, V _out = (8/9) V _in is determined.

Next, the load voltage _Vout when the switch S3 is turned on is determined.
In the path from the power source 4 to the connection points 16 and 8, the capacitor C6, the connection point 9, the capacitor C7, the connection point 10, and the switch S3 to the load 3, V ₂ = (1 / 9) the voltage drop of V _in has occurred.
Therefore, the load voltage _Vout is
V _in = (1/9) V _in + (1/9) V _in + V _out (5)
Therefore, V _out = (7/9) V _in is determined.

Next, the load voltage _Vout when the switch S4 is turned on is determined.
In the path from the power source 4 to the connection points 16 and 8, the capacitor C6, the connection point 9, the capacitor C7, the connection point 10, the capacitor C8, the connection point 11, and the switch S4 to the load 2, the capacitors C6, C7 and C8 Thus, a voltage drop of V ₂ = (1/9) V _in occurs.
Therefore, the load voltage _Vout is
V _in = (1/9) V _in + (1/9) V _in + (1/9) V _in + V _out (6)
Thus, V _out = (2/3) V _in is determined.

  As described above, the input / output voltage ratio can be adjusted in units of 1/9 by the switching of S1 to S4.

  Here, 10 capacitors and 16 switches are used in the circuit module 2 of FIG. On the other hand, in order to adjust the input / output voltage ratio in units of 1/9 by a switching capacitor system having a single-stage configuration, 17 capacitors (9 series-connected capacitors and 8 voltage uniforms) Capacitor) and 22 switches (18 for mutual charge / discharge and 4 for S1 to S4) are required, and the number of elements is greatly reduced by the present invention. I understand.

  FIG. 4 shows a power supply device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Unlike the embodiment of FIG. 3, the second storage element switching circuit 6 is cascade-connected across the capacitors C <b> 1 and C <b> 2 in the first storage element switching circuit 5.

In the configuration of FIG. 4, C1 and C2 connected in series and C6, C7, and C8 connected in series are connected in parallel. Therefore, the relationship between the voltage V ₂ of the voltages V ₁ and capacitor C6~C10 capacitor C1~C5 is expressed by the following equation (7) instead of the equation (1).
V ₁ + V ₁ = V ₂ + V ₂ + V ₂ (7)

On the other hand, equation (2) also holds in the configuration of FIG. Therefore, from the equations (2) and (7), the voltages applied to the capacitors are determined as V ₁ = (1/3) V _in and V ₂ = (2/9) V _in .

The load voltage _Vout when any one of the switches S1 to S4 is turned on can be obtained by almost the same calculation as that in the configuration of FIG. That is, since the number of capacitors existing in the path from the power supply 4 to the load 3 increases to 0, 1, 2, 3 by switching the switches to be turned on to S1, S2, S3, and S4, there is no change. By subtracting the voltage drop due to the capacitor _{in the} path from the input voltage Vin _{in accordance} with each case, _Vout is obtained.

However, since the voltages applied to the capacitors in the path are (2/9) V _in , the calculated load voltage V _out is V _in when S1 is on and (2 when S2 is on). 7/9) When V _in and S3 are on, (5/9) V _in , and when S4 is on, (1/3) V _in . That load voltage V _out is the step-down units of (2/9) V _in.

  FIG. 5 shows a power supply device 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The power supply device 1 is obtained by exchanging terminals to which the power supply 4 and the load 3 are connected in the power supply device 1 shown in FIG.

In this configuration, as in FIG. 3, since C1 and the second storage element switching circuit 6 are connected in cascade, equation (1) is established, and V ₂ = (1/3) V ₁ . Since the path from the power supply 4 to the common potential point 15 changes depending on which of the switches S1 to S4 is turned on, the voltage applied to each power storage element differs in each case.

First, when S1 is turned on, a path from the power source 4 to the common potential point 15 through the switch S1, the connection points 16, 8, and 12, the capacitor C1, the connection point 13, the capacitor C2, the connection point 14, and the capacitor C3. Considering the voltage drop, equation (2) is established. Therefore, V ₁ = (1/3) V _in and V ₂ = (1/9) V _in .

The load voltage V _out is V _out = V _in because there is no element that causes a voltage drop in the path from the power source 4 through S 1 to the load 3.

Next, when S2 is turned on, the common potential point from the power source 4 through the switch S2, the connection point 9, the capacitor C6, the connection points 8, 12, the capacitor C1, the connection point 13, the capacitor C2, the connection point 14, and the capacitor C3. Considering the path to 15, the following equation holds for the voltage drop.
V _in = −V ₂ + V ₁ + V ₁ + V ₁ (8)

From the expressions (1) and (8), V ₁ = (3/8) V _in and V ₂ = (1/8) V _in .

In addition, the load voltage _Vout has a (negative) voltage drop due to C6 in the path from the power source 4 to the load 3 through the switch S2, the connection point 9, the capacitor C6, the connection point 8, and the connection point 16. Is determined by the following equation.
V _in = −V ₂ + V _out (9)

Therefore, V _out = (9/8) V _in .

Next, when S3 is turned on, the power source 4 switches to the switch S3, the connection point 10, the capacitor C7, the connection point 9, the capacitor C6, the connection points 8, 12, the capacitor C1, the connection point 13, the capacitor C2, the connection point 14, and the capacitor. Considering the path leading to the common potential point 15 via C3, the following equation holds for the voltage drop.
V _in = −V ₂ −V ₂ + V ₁ + V ₁ + V ₁ (10)

From the expressions (1) and (10), V ₁ = (3/7) V _in and V ₂ = (1/7) V _in .

Further, the load voltage _Vout is transferred to the load 3 through the switch S3, the connection point 10, the capacitor C7, the connection point 9, the capacitor C6, the connection point 8, and the connection point 16 from the power source 4 to C7 and C6. In consideration of the occurrence of a (negative) voltage drop due to, it is determined by the following equation.
V _in = −V ₂ −V ₂ + V _out (11)

Therefore, V _out = (9/7) V _in .

Next, when S4 is turned on, the power source 4 switches to the switch S4, the connection point 11, the capacitor C8, the connection point 10, the capacitor C7, the connection point 9, the capacitor C6, the connection points 8, 12, the capacitor C1, the connection point 13, and the capacitor. Considering the path leading to the common potential point 15 via C2, the connection point 14, and the capacitor C3, the following equation holds for the voltage drop.
_{V in = -V 2 -V 2 -V} 2 + V 1 + V 1 + V 1 (12)

From the equations (1) and (12), V ₁ = (1/2) V _in and V ₂ = (1/6) V _in .

Further, the load voltage _Vout reaches the load 3 from the power source 4 through the switch S4, the connection point 11, the capacitor C8, the connection point 10, the capacitor C7, the connection point 9, the capacitor C6, the connection point 8, and the connection point 16. Considering that a negative voltage drop due to C8, C7, and C6 occurs in the path, it is determined by the following equation.
V _in = −V ₂ −V ₂ −V ₂ + V _out (13)

Therefore, V _out = (3/2) V _in .

As described above, when S1 to S4 are turned on in the configuration of FIG. 5, the load voltages are V _in , (9/8) V _in , (9/7) V _in , and (3/2) V _in , respectively. Boosted. The input / output voltage ratio has a reciprocal relationship with the input / output voltage ratio in the power supply device of FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows a power supply device 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The power supply device 1 is obtained by exchanging the terminals to which the power supply 4 and the load 3 are connected in the power supply device 1 shown in FIG.

In this configuration, as in FIG. 4, since C1, C2 and the second storage element switching circuit 6 are connected in cascade, the equation (7) is established, and V ₂ = (2/3) V _1. However, since the path from the power supply 4 to the common potential point 15 changes depending on which of the switches S1 to S4 is turned on, the voltage applied to each power storage element differs in each case.

The load voltage _Vout when the respective switches are turned on can be obtained by calculation almost the same as that in the configuration of FIG.

That is, except that V ₂ = (2/3) V ₁ is used instead of equation (1), equation (2) when switch 1 is turned on, equation (8) when switch 2 is turned on, Equation (9), equations (10), (11) when switch 3 is turned on, and equations (12) and (13) when switch 4 is turned on all hold in the same manner. If these are used to calculate the load voltage V _out , V _in when S 1 is on, (9/7) V _in when S 2 is on, (9/5) V _in when S 3 is on, It can be seen that the voltage is boosted to 3 V _in when S4 is on. The input / output voltage ratio has a reciprocal relationship with the input / output voltage ratio in the power supply device of FIG.

  FIG. 7 shows a power supply device 1 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  Compared with the power supply device of FIG. 3, a second switch group 17 including switches S5 to S8 is newly provided. By turning on any of the switches S5 to S8, it is possible to realize a circuit configuration corresponding to each of the cases where the power supply 4 is connected to any one of the connection points 8, 9, 10 and 11 in the power supply device 1 of FIG.

The switching in the newly provided second switch group 17 determines the adjustment unit of the load voltage _Vout adjusted by the switching in the (first) switch group 7.

Specifically, by turning on any of S5 to S8, the storage element configuration existing in the path from the power supply 4 to the common potential point 15 is determined. First, V ₁ and V ₂ are determined by setting up an equation of voltage drop corresponding to, and solving the equation in combination with the equation (1) established in the current configuration.

Then, V _OUT is determined by establishing an equation corresponding to the equation (4) and the like for the route from the power source 4 to the load 3 via any one of S5 to S8 and S1 to S4. Is done. Since power storage device present in the path extending from the power source 4 to load 3 is in one of the capacitors C6-C8, a voltage drop caused in the pathway is an integral multiple of V _2. Therefore, the load voltage is adjusted in units of V ₂ by switching in the switch group 7.

If the equations corresponding to the voltage drop in each path are solved in the same manner as in the first to fourth embodiments, the load voltage is calculated corresponding to the switch selected in each switch group.
Table 1 shows the relationship between the selected switch and the input / output voltage ratio.

  Similarly, if the second switch group 17 is added to the configurations of FIGS. 4 to 6, circuit configurations corresponding to the respective cases where the power supply 4 is connected to any one of the connection points 8 to 11 can be realized.

  All the embodiments described so far are configured to include two storage element switching circuits. However, by increasing the number of storage element switching circuits to three or more and cascading them, it becomes possible to realize a more fine voltage conversion ratio.

  FIG. 8 shows a power supply device 1 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention when three storage element switching circuits are cascade-connected. The circuit module 2 in the power supply device 1 includes a first storage element switching circuit 18, a second storage element switching circuit 19, a third storage element switching circuit 20, a first switch group 21 including switches S1 to S4, and a switch The second switch group 22 is composed of S5 to S8.

  In this case, the storage element C1 in the first storage element switching circuit 18 and the storage elements C6, C7, and C8 in the second storage element switching circuit are connected in parallel, and C6 includes the storage element C6 in the third storage element switching circuit. Storage elements C11, C12, and C13 are connected in parallel.

Therefore, the voltage of C1 is distributed to C6, C7, and C8, and the voltage is further distributed to C11, C12, and C13. Considering that the voltage applied to each capacitor in each storage element switching circuit is equalized by switching, the voltage V ₃ applied to each of C11, C12, and C13 is V ₃ = (1/9 ) is V _1.

Since the switch groups 21 and 22 have the same configuration as the switch groups 7 and 17 in the power supply device 1 of FIG. 7, the load voltage V _OUT is adjusted in units of this V ₃ in the power supply device 1 of FIG.

For example, when S5 is on, since V ₁ = (1/3) V _in , the adjustment unit V ₃ = (1/27) V _in . This is because the power supply voltage is equally distributed to C1 to C3, the voltage is equally distributed to C6 to C8, and the voltage is equally distributed to C11 to C13, thereby obtaining the minimum adjustment unit. It means that.

That minimum value of the adjustment unit is obtained by dividing the power supply voltage V _in a value obtained by multiplying the serial connection number capacitor in the respective storage element switching circuit (3 × 3 × 3 = 27 in the current configuration). Note that the load voltage when each of S1 to S4 is turned on while S5 is on is calculated by calculating the voltage drop in the same manner as in the above embodiment, V _in , (26/27) V _in , (25/27) V _in , (8/9) V _in . The load voltage when the other switches S6 to S8 are turned on is calculated in the same manner.

It is clear from the above examination that the load voltage can be adjusted more finely by increasing the number of storage element switching circuits. That is, if a circuit module having an n-stage configuration in which the first storage element switching circuit, the second storage element switching circuit,..., The nth storage element switching circuit is cascade-connected in the same manner as in FIG. _{1, 2} n, ... as and a n _n-number of series-connected storage elements, the lowest possible as an adjustment unit of the load voltage and _{1 / (n 1 n 2 ...} n n) × V in Become.

As described above, in order to perform voltage adjustment in the same minimum unit by a switched capacitor system having a single stage configuration, N ₁ N ₂ ... N _n capacitors need to be connected in series. Will be reduced.

  In particular, when performing multi-stage connection as in Example 6, it is convenient to use in combination with, for example, a circuit module having a single-stage configuration and a small number of power storage elements. By connecting the circuit module of one-stage configuration and the circuit module of FIG. 8 in series, first, after roughly adjusting the input / output voltage ratio adjustment by the circuit module of the one-stage configuration (after determining the adjustment reference value), This is because the fine adjustment can be performed by the circuit module of FIG.

  A person skilled in the art can configure a power supply device having desired adjustment reference values and adjustment units by appropriately selecting a capacitor configuration and a switch group in the circuit module in accordance with the teaching of the present embodiment.

  For example, in the first to sixth embodiments described above, it has been described that the storage element switching circuit is configured to equalize all the storage element voltages in the circuit. Is just an example.

  That is, in the present invention that enables finer adjustment of the output voltage than in the past in units of individual storage element voltages, it is not essential that the individual storage element voltages are all equal. In order to make the adjustment possible in steps of, it is possible to configure the storage element switching circuit so that two types of voltages are applied to the respective storage elements. Alternatively, all the storage element voltages may be adjusted to different values.

  Similarly, the storage element switching circuit has been described as having a configuration in which the connection state is switched by a switch in the first to sixth embodiments. However, in order to control the charge state of each storage element, a switch must be used. However, it is not necessary to perform control using, for example, a diode.

  The present invention includes all the above variations within the scope as long as the object can be achieved.

  Next, an embodiment of a power supply system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Each of the storage element switching circuits in the embodiments of FIGS. 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, and 18 has a three-series configuration, but this is merely an example, and the storage circuits connected in series in the present invention. The number of elements is arbitrary. Although each power storage element is described as a capacitor, this may be an arbitrary element that can be charged and discharged, such as a secondary battery, or a module that includes a plurality of elements. The capacity of each power storage element may also be different. Similarly, the specific configuration of the switch group and the voltage equalizing power storage element is not limited to the specific configuration shown in the figure, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the present invention.

Configuration of Power Supply System 23 FIG. 9 shows a power supply system 23 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The power supply system 23 is connected to the load 25 connected to the first terminal of the circuit module 24 from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 connected to the second terminal (or any DC power supply or AC power supply). When the load voltage is applied, the load voltage is adjusted to the operating voltage range of the load 25 by switching in the circuit module 24.

  A voltage detection circuit 27 is connected to the electric double layer capacitor module 26, and is configured to monitor the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 at any time and output a signal corresponding to the voltage to the determination circuit 28. .

  Note that the voltage detection circuit 27 may be connected to the load 3 or to an arbitrary capacitor included in the power supply system 23. As will be described later, the voltages of these elements can be converted into each other using mathematical formulas. Therefore, it is sufficient to detect the voltage of any of the above elements to determine whether a sufficient load voltage is maintained. That's why. This also applies to Examples 8 to 12 described later.

  The determination circuit 28 compares the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 notified from the voltage detection circuit 27 with a predetermined voltage set in advance, and performs switch switching control when the voltage falls below the predetermined voltage. A signal is output to the switch control circuit 29.

  The switch control circuit 29 is configured to turn on one of the switches S1 to S3 included in the switch group 30 in accordance with a signal from the determination circuit 28.

  Note that the determination circuit 28 and the switch control circuit 29 do not need to be separate modules, but instead may be arbitrary circuits configured to perform voltage determination and switch control. The switch control means described in the claims includes the determination circuit 28 and the switch control circuit 29, that is, means constituted by two separate circuits (or more circuits). It may be a means composed of one circuit having a function.

  Note that the load 25 is not limited to a resistor, and an arbitrary load such as an arbitrary element, module, or device that operates by electric power can be used.

  The circuit module 24 includes a storage element switching circuit 31 and a switch group 30 including switches S1 to S3. The storage element switching circuit 31 includes capacitors C1 to C5 and switches Q1 to Q6.

  Here, by alternately switching the odd numbered switch and the even numbered switch at high frequency, the voltage shared by C1 to C5 becomes uniform.

  Specifically, regarding C1 to C5, when the odd numbered switch is ON, the capacitors C1 and C4 and the capacitors C2 and C5 are respectively connected in parallel. If there is a variation, mutual charging / discharging is performed and the voltage variation is eliminated. On the other hand, when the even-numbered switch is on, capacitors C2 and C4 and C3 And C5 are connected in parallel to each other, so that when voltage variation occurs between the capacitors, mutual charge / discharge is performed and the voltage variation is eliminated.

  By repeating switching, each capacitor performs mutual charge / discharge directly or indirectly (through other capacitors) with all other capacitors, and thus the voltages of the capacitors C1 to C5 are equalized. The Rukoto.

Determination of Load Voltage In such a circuit module 24, the load voltage is applied from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the load 25 by turning on any one of the switches S1 to S3. However, the value of the load voltage differs depending on which switch is turned on during S1 to S3.

  Hereinafter, after determining the voltage applied to each capacitor, the load voltage for each of the switches S1 to S3 when turned on is specifically calculated.

First, the voltages of the capacitors C1 to C5 are determined (the voltage applied to these is independent of which of S1 to S3 is turned on). The voltages C1 to C5 are made uniform by high-frequency switching, and can be expressed as V ₁ , respectively.

Considering the voltage drop in the path from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the common potential point 36 via the connection points 32 and 33, the capacitor C1, the connection point 34, the capacitor C2, the connection point 35, and the capacitor C3, The following equation holds when the voltage is V _in .
V _in = V ₁ + V ₁ + V ₁ = 3V ₁ (14)

From the above equation (14), V ₁ = (1/3) V _in is determined.

Next, the load voltage _Vout when the switch S1 is turned on is determined. Since there is no element that causes a voltage drop in the path from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the connection point 32 and the switch S1 to the load 25, all the voltage from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is supplied to the load 25. It becomes the load voltage to. That is,
V _out = V _in (15)
Is determined.

Next, the load voltage _Vout when the switch S2 is turned on is determined. In the path from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the connection points 32 and 33, the capacitor C1, the connection point 34, and the switch S2 to the load 25, the voltage drop of V ₁ = (1/3) V _in by the capacitor C2. Has occurred.
Therefore, the load voltage _Vout is
V _in = (1/3) V _in + V _out (16)
Thus, V _out = (2/3) V _in is determined.

Next, the load voltage _Vout when the switch S3 is turned on is determined. In the path from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the connection points 32 and 33, the capacitor C1, the connection point 34, the capacitor C2, the connection point 35, and the switch S3 to the load 25, the capacitors C1 and C2 respectively provide V _1. = (1/3) V _in voltage drop occurs.
Therefore, the load voltage _Vout is
V _in = (1/3) V _in + (1/3) V _in + V _out (17)
Thus, V _out = (1/3) V _in is determined.

  As described above, the switching of S1 to S3 makes it possible to adjust the load voltage in units of 1/3 of the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26. Compared with the conventional adjustment in which the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is used as a unit, the adjustment unit is 1/3, and finer voltage adjustment is possible.

Operation of Power Supply System 23 Next, the operation of the power supply system 23 will be described. First, as an initial state, the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is charged by applying a voltage about three times an arbitrary voltage within the operating voltage range of the load 25. All of S1 to S3 in the switch group 30 are turned off, and the discharge to the load 25 has not yet started.

  Only the switch S3 is turned on by a signal from the switch control circuit 29, and discharge is started. The load voltage at this time is 1/3 of the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 as described above (therefore, power supply is performed within the operating voltage range of the load 25 at the start of discharge).

  As the discharge progresses, the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 decreases, and at the same time, the load voltage applied to the load 25 also decreases. The voltage detection circuit 27 monitors the decreasing voltage and outputs a signal corresponding to the voltage to the determination circuit 28.

  The determination circuit 28 presets the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 notified from the voltage detection circuit 27 at predetermined time intervals determined by a clock frequency of an arithmetic unit (not shown) constituting the determination circuit. Compare with the given voltage.

The predetermined voltage is typically determined by the lower limit value of the operating voltage range of the load 25 and the switching state of the switch group 30. That is, when the switch S3 is turned on, in order to determine whether the load voltage (1/3) V _in is higher than the minimum operating voltage range, V _in, namely the electric double layer capacitor module 26 Is compared with a predetermined voltage (hereinafter referred to as a first predetermined voltage value) determined as three times the lower limit value of the operating voltage.

  When the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 exceeds the first predetermined voltage value, the load 25 is supplied with a sufficient voltage exceeding the lower limit of the operating voltage range. Therefore, since it is not necessary to perform switch switching in the switch group 30, the determination circuit 28 does not output a signal to the switch control circuit 29 (or a signal for notifying that the current switching is appropriate and switching is not necessary). May be output.)

  Since the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 continues to decrease due to the discharge, at a certain point in time, the determination circuit 28 detects that the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is lower than the first predetermined voltage value. At this point, the determination circuit 28 outputs a signal for switching the switch to the switch control circuit 29. (Alternatively, in order to avoid that the load voltage temporarily falls outside the operating voltage range, when the difference between the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 and the first predetermined voltage value falls below a predetermined lower limit value, It may be configured to output such a signal.)

  In response to the signal received from the determination circuit 28, the switch control circuit 29 turns off the switch S3 and turns on the switch S2. As a result, the load voltage becomes the sum of the voltages applied to the capacitors C2 and C3, that is, (2/3) times the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26, and the load voltage rises and falls within the operating voltage range.

  As the discharge further progresses, the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 further decreases, and at the same time, the load voltage applied to the load 25 also decreases. The voltage detection circuit 27 continues to monitor this decreasing voltage and outputs a signal corresponding to the voltage to the determination circuit 28.

  The determination circuit 28 compares the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 notified from the voltage detection circuit 27 with a predetermined voltage set in advance at each predetermined time interval.

However, the predetermined voltage to be used for comparison here is different from the first predetermined voltage value. That is, when the switch S2 is turned on, in order to determine whether the load voltage (2/3) V _in is higher than the minimum operating voltage range, V _in, namely the electric double layer capacitor module 26 Is compared with a predetermined voltage (hereinafter referred to as a second predetermined voltage value) determined as 3/2 times the lower limit value of the operating voltage. Such switching of the predetermined voltage value is performed when a signal instructing switching of the switch to be turned on in the determination circuit 28 from S3 to S2 is output to the switch control circuit 29 (or notification that the switch has been switched). When a signal is received from the switch control circuit 29).

  When the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 exceeds the second predetermined voltage value, the load 25 is supplied with a sufficient voltage that exceeds the lower limit of the operating voltage range. Therefore, since it is not necessary to perform switch switching in the switch group 30, the determination circuit 28 does not output a signal to the switch control circuit 29 (or a signal for notifying that the current switching is appropriate and switching is not necessary). May be output.)

  Since the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 continues to decrease due to the discharge, at a certain point in time, the determination circuit 28 detects that the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is below the second predetermined voltage value. At this point, the determination circuit 28 outputs a signal for switching the switch to the switch control circuit 29. (Alternatively, in order to avoid that the load voltage temporarily falls outside the operating voltage range, when the difference between the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 and the second predetermined voltage value falls below a predetermined lower limit value, It may be configured to output such a signal.)

  In response to the signal received from the determination circuit 28, the switch control circuit 29 turns off the switch S2 and turns on the switch S1. As a result, the load voltage becomes the sum of the voltages applied to the capacitors C1, C2, and C3, that is, the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26, and the load voltage rises again and falls within the operating voltage range.

  Thus, the load voltage can be suppressed within a certain arbitrary range by sequentially switching the switches S1 to S3. In the power supply system of FIG. 9, although the electric double layer capacitor module 26 has a one-series configuration, the load voltage can be adjusted in three stages because the storage element switching circuit module 24 having a three-series configuration is used. Is possible.

  Here, the case where the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is connected at the connection point 32 of the circuit module 24 (that is, the case where the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is connected from the connection point 33 in the storage element switching circuit 31) has been described. In the case of connection from ~ 35, it operates under the same principle.

  As described above, the voltage detection circuit 27 may be connected to the load 3 to detect the load voltage. In this case, the first to third voltage values are the operating voltage range. It is sufficient to use the lower limit value in a unified manner and compare it with the detected load voltage. This also applies to Examples 8 to 12 described later.

  FIG. 10 shows the voltage of the load 25 and the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 (denoted as EDLC voltage in FIG. 10) during discharging of the power supply system of FIG. By switching the switch when the EDLC voltage drops to a predetermined voltage value, the load voltage is always kept within a certain range.

In addition to the above operation, in order to determine whether or not the load voltage is lower than the upper limit of the operating voltage range by the determination circuit 28, V _in , that is, the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is set to each switch group. You may comprise so that it may compare with the predetermined voltage determined as mentioned above according to a switching state.

  If the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 exceeds a predetermined voltage, a high voltage outside the operating range is applied to the load 25, which may cause equipment failure. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable that the control signal is output from the determination circuit 28 to the switch control circuit 29, and the switch control circuit 29 switches the switch appropriately. The same applies to the following embodiments.

  FIG. 11 shows a power supply system 23 according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. The power supply system 23 is obtained by exchanging terminals to which the electric double layer capacitor module 26 and the load 25 are connected in the power supply system 23 shown in FIG.

  Similarly to the seventh embodiment, by turning on any one of the switches S1 to S3 in the circuit module 24, a load voltage is applied from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the load 25. However, the value of the load voltage differs depending on which switch is turned on during S1 to S3. In particular, in the circuit configuration of FIG. 11, the voltage applied to each capacitor also changes depending on which switch is turned on.

When S1 is first turned on, the electric double layer capacitor module 26 reaches the common potential point 36 via the switch S1, connection points 32 and 33, capacitor C1, connection point 34, capacitor C2, connection point 35, and capacitor C3. Considering the path, equation (14) holds for the voltage drop. Therefore, the voltage of each capacitor is V ₁ = (1/3) V _in .

Load voltage V _out, since the element causes a voltage drop in the path leading to the electric double layer capacitor module 26 loads through S1 to 25 is not present, the V _out = V _in.

Next, when S2 is turned on, a voltage drop is considered when considering a path from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the common potential point 36 via the switch S2, the connection point 34, the capacitor C2, the connection point 35, and the capacitor C3. The following formula holds:
V _in = V ₁ + V ₁ = 2V ₁ (18)

Therefore, a voltage of (1/2) V _in is applied to each capacitor.

The load voltage to the load 25 is caused by the capacitor C1 in the path from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the load 25 via the switch S2, the connection point 34, the capacitor C1, the connection point 33, and the connection point 32 (negative In consideration of the voltage drop, the following equation holds.
V _in = −V ₁ + V _OUT (19)

From Expressions (18) and (19), V _OUT = (3/2) V _in is determined.

Next, when S3 is turned on, the following equation holds for the voltage drop, considering a path from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the common potential point 36 via the switch S3, the connection point 35, and the capacitor C3.
V _in = V ₁ (20)

Further, the load voltage _Vout is in a path from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the load 25 through the switch S3, the connection point 35, the capacitor C2, the connection point 34, the capacitor C1, the connection point 33, and the connection point 32. Considering the occurrence of a (negative) voltage drop due to C1 and C2, it is determined by the following equation.
V _in = −V ₁ −V ₁ + V _out (21)

Therefore, V _out = 3V _in .

As described above, the load voltages when S1 to S3 are turned on in the configuration of FIG. 11 are boosted to V _in , (3/2) V _in , and 3V _in , respectively. The input / output voltage ratio has a reciprocal relationship with the input / output voltage ratio in the power supply system of FIG.

Operation of Power Supply System 23 Next, the operation of the power supply system 23 in the eighth embodiment will be described. First, as an initial state, the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is charged by applying a voltage of an arbitrary voltage within the operating voltage range of the load 25. All of S1 to S3 in the switch group 30 are turned off, and the discharge to the load 25 has not yet started.

  Only the switch S1 is turned on by a signal from the switch control circuit 29, and discharge is started. The load voltage at this time is equal to the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 as described above (therefore, power supply is performed within the operating voltage range of the load 25 at the start of discharge).

  As the discharge progresses, the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 decreases, and at the same time, the load voltage applied to the load 25 also decreases. The voltage detection circuit 27 monitors the decreasing voltage and outputs a signal corresponding to the voltage to the determination circuit 28.

  The determination circuit 28 presets the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 notified from the voltage detection circuit 27 at predetermined time intervals determined by a clock frequency of an arithmetic unit (not shown) constituting the determination circuit. Compare with the given voltage.

The predetermined voltage is typically determined by the lower limit value of the operating voltage range of the load 25 and the switching state of the switch group 30. That is, when the switch 1 is turned on, in order to determine whether the load voltage V _in is higher than the minimum operating voltage range, V _in, that is, the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26, the operation It compares with the predetermined voltage (henceforth a 1st predetermined voltage value) defined as a lower limit of voltage.

  When the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 exceeds the first predetermined voltage value, the load 25 is supplied with a sufficient voltage exceeding the lower limit of the operating voltage range. Therefore, since it is not necessary to perform switch switching in the switch group 30, the determination circuit 28 does not output a signal to the switch control circuit 29 (or a signal for notifying that the current switching is appropriate and switching is not necessary). May be output.)

  Since the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 continues to decrease due to the discharge, at a certain point in time, the determination circuit 28 detects that the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is lower than the first predetermined voltage value. At this point, the determination circuit 28 outputs a signal for switching the switch to the switch control circuit 29. (Alternatively, in order to avoid that the load voltage temporarily falls outside the operating voltage range, when the difference between the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 and the first predetermined voltage value falls below a predetermined lower limit value, It may be configured to output such a signal.)

  In response to the signal received from the determination circuit 28, the switch control circuit 29 turns off the switch S1 and turns on the switch S2. As a result, the load voltage becomes (3/2) times the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26, and the load voltage rises and falls within the operating voltage range.

  As the discharge further progresses, the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 further decreases, and at the same time, the load voltage applied to the load 25 also decreases. The voltage detection circuit 27 continues to monitor this decreasing voltage and outputs a signal corresponding to the voltage to the determination circuit 28.

  The determination circuit 28 compares the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 notified from the voltage detection circuit 27 with a predetermined voltage set in advance at each predetermined time interval.

However, the predetermined voltage to be used for comparison here is different from the first predetermined voltage value. That is, when the switch S2 is turned on, in order to determine whether the load voltage (3/2) V _in is higher than the minimum operating voltage range, V _in, namely the electric double layer capacitor module 26 Is compared with a predetermined voltage (hereinafter referred to as a second predetermined voltage value) determined as 2/3 times the lower limit value of the operating voltage. Such switching of the predetermined voltage value is performed when a signal instructing switching of the switch to be turned on in the determination circuit 28 from S1 to S2 is output to the switch control circuit 29 (or notification that the switch has been switched). When a signal is received from the switch control circuit 29).

  When the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 exceeds the second predetermined voltage value, the load 25 is supplied with a sufficient voltage that exceeds the lower limit of the operating voltage range. Therefore, since it is not necessary to perform switch switching in the switch group 30, the determination circuit 28 does not output a signal to the switch control circuit 29 (or a signal for notifying that the current switching is appropriate and switching is not necessary). May be output.)

  Since the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 continues to decrease due to the discharge, at a certain point in time, the determination circuit 28 detects that the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is below the second predetermined voltage value. At this point, the determination circuit 28 outputs a signal for switching the switch to the switch control circuit 29. (Alternatively, in order to avoid that the load voltage temporarily falls outside the operating voltage range, when the difference between the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 and the second predetermined voltage value falls below a predetermined lower limit value, It may be configured to output such a signal.)

  In response to the signal received from the determination circuit 28, the switch control circuit 29 turns off the switch S2 and turns on the switch S3. As a result, the load voltage becomes three times the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26, and the load voltage rises again and falls within the operating voltage range.

  Thus, the load voltage can be suppressed within a certain arbitrary range by sequentially switching the switches S1 to S3. In the power supply system of FIG. 11, although the electric double layer capacitor module 26 has a one-series configuration, the load voltage can be adjusted in three stages because the storage element switching circuit module 24 having a three-series configuration is used. Is possible. The configuration of FIG. 11 is particularly effective when the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 needs to be boosted, such as when the load 25 requires a large operating voltage.

  Here, the case where the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is connected at the connection point 32 of the circuit module 24 (that is, the case where the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is connected from the connection point 33 in the storage element switching circuit 31) has been described. In the case of connection from ~ 35, it operates under the same principle.

  FIG. 12 shows the voltage of the load 25 and the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 (denoted as EDLC voltage in FIG. 12) during discharging of the power supply system of FIG. By switching the switch when the EDLC voltage drops to a predetermined voltage value, the load voltage is always kept within a certain range.

  FIG. 13 shows a ninth embodiment of the present invention. The load 25 is connected to the storage element switching circuit 31 via the first switch group 30, and the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is connected to the storage element switching circuit 31 via the second switch group 37. By turning on any one of the switches S4 to S6 in the second switch group 37, the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is connected to one of the connection points 33 to 35, and is connected via the storage element switching circuit 31. Power is supplied to the load 25. All the connection states in FIGS. 9 and 11 can be realized in accordance with the combination of switches that are turned on in the switch groups 30 and 37.

Specifically, the input / output voltage ratio when the switch to be turned on in the first switch group 30 and the switch to be turned on in the second switch group 37 are selected is as shown in Table 2.

  Accordingly, the set of switches to be turned on with the progress of discharge in the electric double layer capacitor module 4 is (S3, S4), (S3, S5), (S2, S4), (S1, S4) or (S2, S5). ) Or (S3, S6), (S1, S5), (S2, S6), (S1, S6), by appropriately switching the charging energy while controlling the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 4 within the operating range. Can be used without waste.

  FIG. 14 shows a power supply system 23 according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention. Compared with the seventh embodiment, the circuit module 24 includes the second storage element switching circuit 38, so that finer output voltage adjustment is possible.

  Second power storage element switching circuit 38 includes capacitors C6 to C10 and switches Q7 to Q12, and is connected to capacitor C1 in first power storage element switching circuit 31.

  In this case, the capacitors C6, C7, C8 in the second storage element switching circuit 38 are connected in parallel with the capacitor C1 in the first storage element switching circuit 31, and can be charged and discharged with each other. Also, the capacitors C9, C10 Is chargeable / dischargeable with C6, C7, and C8 by switching Q7 to Q12.

  Therefore, the multistage connection by the 1st, 2nd electrical storage element switching circuit which enables the mutual charge / discharge between the capacitor C1 and each capacitor in the 2nd electrical storage element switching circuit 38 is comprised. That is, a cascade connection is made in which the voltage of the capacitor C1 is distributed to the capacitors C6 to C10.

  Here, by switching the odd-numbered switch and the even-numbered switch alternately at high frequency, the voltage shared by C1 to C5 and the voltage shared by C6 to C10 are uniform as in the case of the seventh embodiment. become.

Determination of Load Voltage In such a circuit module 24, the load voltage is applied from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the load 25 by turning on any one of the switches S1 to S4. However, the value of the load voltage differs depending on which switch is turned on during S1 to S4.

  Hereinafter, after determining the voltage applied to each capacitor, the load voltage for each of the switches S1 to S4 when turned on is specifically calculated.

First, the voltages of the capacitors C1 to C5 and C6 to C10 are determined (the voltages applied to these are independent of which of S1 to S4 is turned on). The voltages C1 to C5 and the voltages C6 to C10 are made uniform by switching, and can be expressed as V ₁ and V ₂ , respectively.

Since C1 and the second storage element switching circuit 38 are connected in cascade, the sum of the voltages of C6, C7, and C8 is equal to the voltage of C1. That is, V ₁ = V ₂ + V ₂ + V ₂ = 3V ₂ (22)
It becomes.

Considering the voltage drop in the path from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the connection points 32, 39, 33, the capacitor C1, the connection point 34, the capacitor C2, the connection point 35, and the capacitor C3 to the common potential point 36. When the power supply voltage is V _in , the following equation is established.
V _in = V ₁ + V ₁ + V ₁ = 3V ₁ (23)
Combining the above equations (22) and (23), it is determined that V ₁ = (1/3) V _in and V ₂ = (1/9) V _in .

Next, the load voltage _Vout when the switch S1 is turned on is determined.

Since there is no element that causes a voltage drop in the path from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the connection point 32 and the switch S1 to the load 25, all the voltage from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is supplied to the load 25. It becomes the load voltage to. That is,
V _out = V _in (24)
Is determined.

Next, the load voltage _Vout when the switch S2 is turned on is determined. In the path from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the connection points 32 and 39, the capacitor C6, the connection point 40, the switch S2 and the load 25, the voltage drop of V ₂ = (1/9) V _in by the capacitor C6. Has occurred.
Therefore, the load voltage _Vout is
V _in = (1/9) V _in + V _out (25)
Thus, V _out = (8/9) V _in is determined.

Next, the load voltage _Vout when the switch S3 is turned on is determined. In the path from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the connection points 32 and 39, the capacitor C6, the connection point 40, the capacitor C7, the connection point 41 and the switch S3 to the load 25, each of the capacitors C6 and C7 causes V _2. = (1/9) V _in voltage drop occurs.
Therefore, the load voltage _Vout is
V _in = (1/9) V _in + (1/9) V _in + V _out (26)
Therefore, V _out = (7/9) V _in is determined.

Next, the load voltage _Vout when the switch S4 is turned on is determined.
In the path from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the connection points 32 and 39, the capacitor C6, the connection point 40, the capacitor C7, the connection point 41, the capacitor C8, the connection point 42 and the switch S4 to the load 25, the capacitor C6 , C7 and C8 cause a voltage drop of V ₂ = (1/9) V _in respectively.
Therefore, the load voltage _Vout is
V _in = (1/9) V _in + (1/9) V _in + (1/9) V _in + V _out (27)
Thus, V _out = (2/3) V _in is determined.

  As described above, the input / output voltage ratio can be adjusted in units of 1/9 by the switching of S1 to S4.

  Here, 10 capacitors and 16 switches are used in the circuit module 24 of FIG. On the other hand, in order to adjust the input / output voltage ratio in the unit of 1/9 with a single-stage switching capacitor system that does not use a cascaded multistage structure, 17 capacitors (9 series A connection capacitor, eight voltage equalizing capacitors) and 22 switches (18 for mutual charging / discharging and 4 for S1 to S4) are required, as shown in FIG. It can be seen that the number of elements required to achieve a predetermined voltage step size is greatly reduced by adopting a multi-stage configuration with simple cascade connection.

Operation of Power Supply System 23 Next, the operation of the power supply system 23 will be described. First, as an initial state, the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is charged by applying a voltage about (3/2) times an arbitrary voltage within the operating voltage range of the load 25. All of S1 to S4 in the switch group 30 are turned off, and the discharge to the load 25 has not yet started.

  Only the switch S4 is turned on by a signal from the switch control circuit 29, and discharge is started. The load voltage at this time is 2/3 of the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 as described above (therefore, power supply is performed within the operating voltage range of the load 25 at the start of discharge).

  As the discharge progresses, the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 decreases, and at the same time, the load voltage applied to the load 25 also decreases. The voltage detection circuit 27 monitors the decreasing voltage and outputs a signal corresponding to the voltage to the determination circuit 28.

  The determination circuit 28 presets the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 notified from the voltage detection circuit 27 at predetermined time intervals determined by a clock frequency of an arithmetic unit (not shown) constituting the determination circuit. Compare with the given voltage.

The predetermined voltage is typically determined by the lower limit value of the operating voltage range of the load 25 and the switching state of the switch group 30. That is, when the switch 4 is on, to determine whether the load voltage (2/3) V _in is higher than the minimum operating voltage range, V _in, namely the electric double layer capacitor module 26 Is compared with a predetermined voltage (hereinafter referred to as a first predetermined voltage value) determined as (3/2) times the lower limit value of the operating voltage.

  When the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 exceeds the first predetermined voltage value, the load 25 is supplied with a sufficient voltage exceeding the lower limit of the operating voltage range. Therefore, since it is not necessary to perform switch switching in the switch group 30, the determination circuit 28 does not output a signal to the switch control circuit 29 (or a signal for notifying that the current switching is appropriate and switching is not necessary). May be output.)

  Since the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 continues to decrease due to the discharge, at a certain point in time, the determination circuit 28 detects that the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is lower than the first predetermined voltage value. At this point, the determination circuit 28 outputs a signal for switching the switch to the switch control circuit 29. (Alternatively, in order to avoid that the load voltage temporarily falls outside the operating voltage range, when the difference between the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 and the first predetermined voltage value falls below a predetermined lower limit value, It may be configured to output such a signal.)

  In response to the signal received from the determination circuit 28, the switch control circuit 29 turns off the switch S4 and turns on the switch S3. As a result, the load voltage becomes (7/9) times the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26, and the load voltage rises and falls within the operating voltage range.

  As the discharge further progresses, the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 further decreases, and at the same time, the load voltage applied to the load 25 also decreases. The voltage detection circuit 27 continues to monitor this decreasing voltage and outputs a signal corresponding to the voltage to the determination circuit 28.

  The determination circuit 28 compares the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 notified from the voltage detection circuit 27 with a predetermined voltage set in advance at each predetermined time interval.

However, the predetermined voltage to be used for comparison here is different from the first predetermined voltage value. That is, when the switch S3 is turned on, in order to determine whether the load voltage (7/9) V _in is higher than the minimum operating voltage range, V _in, namely the electric double layer capacitor module 26 Is compared with a predetermined voltage determined as 9/7 times the lower limit value of the operating voltage (hereinafter referred to as a second predetermined voltage value). Such switching of the predetermined voltage value is performed when a signal instructing switching of the switch to be turned on in the determination circuit 28 from S4 to S3 is output to the switch control circuit 29 (or notification that the switch has been switched). When a signal is received from the switch control circuit 29).

  When the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 exceeds the second predetermined voltage value, the load 25 is supplied with a sufficient voltage that exceeds the lower limit of the operating voltage range. Therefore, since it is not necessary to perform switch switching in the switch group 30, the determination circuit 28 does not output a signal to the switch control circuit 29 (or a signal for notifying that the current switching is appropriate and switching is not necessary). May be output.)

  Since the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 continues to decrease due to the discharge, at a certain point in time, the determination circuit 28 detects that the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is below the second predetermined voltage value. At this point, the determination circuit 28 outputs a signal for switching the switch to the switch control circuit 29. (Alternatively, in order to avoid that the load voltage temporarily falls outside the operating voltage range, when the difference between the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 and the second predetermined voltage value falls below a predetermined lower limit value, It may be configured to output such a signal.)

  In response to the signal received from the determination circuit 28, the switch control circuit 29 turns off the switch S3 and turns on the switch S2. As a result, the load voltage becomes (8/9) times the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26, and the load voltage rises again and falls within the operating voltage range.

  As the discharge further progresses, the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 further decreases, and at the same time, the load voltage applied to the load 25 also decreases. The voltage detection circuit 27 continues to monitor this decreasing voltage and outputs a signal corresponding to the voltage to the determination circuit 28.

  The determination circuit 28 compares the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 notified from the voltage detection circuit 27 with a predetermined voltage set in advance at each predetermined time interval.

However, the predetermined voltage to be used for comparison here is different from the first predetermined voltage value. That is, when the switch S2 is turned on, in order to determine whether the load voltage (8/9) V _in is higher than the minimum operating voltage range, V _in, namely the electric double layer capacitor module 26 Is compared with a predetermined voltage determined as 9/8 times the lower limit value of the operating voltage (hereinafter referred to as a third predetermined voltage value). Such switching of the predetermined voltage value is performed when a signal instructing switching of the switch to be turned on in the determination circuit 28 from S3 to S2 is output to the switch control circuit 29 (or notification that the switch has been switched). When a signal is received from the switch control circuit 29).

  When the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 exceeds the third predetermined voltage value, the load 25 is supplied with a sufficient voltage that exceeds the lower limit of the operating voltage range. Therefore, since it is not necessary to perform switch switching in the switch group 30, the determination circuit 28 does not output a signal to the switch control circuit 29 (or a signal for notifying that the current switching is appropriate and switching is not necessary). May be output.)

  Since the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 continues to decrease due to the discharge, at a certain point in time, the determination circuit 28 detects that the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is lower than the third predetermined voltage value. At this point, the determination circuit 28 outputs a signal for switching the switch to the switch control circuit 29. (Alternatively, in order to avoid that the load voltage is temporarily outside the operating voltage range even when temporarily, when the difference between the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 and the third predetermined voltage value falls below a predetermined lower limit value, It may be configured to output such a signal.)

  In response to the signal received from the determination circuit 28, the switch control circuit 29 turns off the switch S2 and turns on the switch S1. As a result, the load voltage becomes the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26, and the load voltage rises again and falls within the operating voltage range.

  Thus, the load voltage can be suppressed within a certain arbitrary range by sequentially switching the switches S1 to S4. In the power supply system of FIG. 14, although the electric double layer capacitor module 26 has a one-series configuration, it uses a circuit module 24 having a two-stage configuration in which three series-structured storage element switching circuits are cascade-connected. In addition, the load voltage can be adjusted in four steps and finer than in the case of a single-stage configuration.

  Here, the case where the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is connected at the connection point 32 of the circuit module 24 (that is, the case where the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is connected from the connection point 39 in the second storage element switching circuit 38) has been described. Even when connected from the points 40 to 42, the operation is performed under the same principle. Further, the case where the second storage element switching circuit 38 is cascade-connected to the capacitor C1 of the first storage element switching circuit 31 has been described. However, when the second storage element switching circuit 38 is connected to another capacitor or connected to a plurality of capacitors. In this case (for example, C1 + C2), the operation is performed under the same principle.

  FIG. 15 shows the voltage of the load 25 at the time of discharging of the power supply system of FIG. 14 and the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 (indicated as EDLC voltage in FIG. 15). By switching the switch when the EDLC voltage drops to a predetermined voltage value, the load voltage is always kept within a certain range.

  FIG. 16 shows a power supply system 23 according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention. The power supply system 23 is obtained by exchanging terminals to which the electric double layer capacitor module 26 and the load 25 are connected in the power supply system 23 shown in FIG.

  As in the tenth embodiment, by turning on any one of the switches S1 to S4 in the circuit module 24, a load voltage is applied from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the load 25. However, the value of the load voltage differs depending on which switch is turned on during S1 to S4. In particular, in the circuit configuration of FIG. 16, the voltage applied to each capacitor also changes depending on which switch is turned on.

In this configuration, as in FIG. 14, since C1 and the second storage element switching circuit 38 are connected in cascade, equation (22) is established, and V ₂ = (1/3) V ₁ . Since the path from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the common potential point 36 changes depending on which of the switches S1 to S4 is turned on, the voltage applied to each capacitor differs in each case.

First, when S1 is turned on, the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is connected to the common potential point 36 through the switch S1, the connection points 32, 39, 33, the capacitor C1, the connection point 34, the capacitor C2, the connection point 35, and the capacitor C3. (23) is established for the voltage drop. Therefore, V ₁ = (1/3) V _in and V ₂ = (1/9) V _in .

Load voltage V _out, since the element causes a voltage drop in the path leading to the electric double layer capacitor module 26 loads through S1 to 25 is not present, the V _out = V _in.

Next, when S2 is turned on, the switch S2, the connection point 40, the capacitor C6, the connection point 39, the connection point 33, the capacitor C1, the connection point 34, the capacitor C2, the connection point 35, and the capacitor C3 are switched from the electric double layer capacitor module 26. Considering the path to the common potential point 36 via the following equation, the following equation is established for the voltage drop.
V _in = −V ₂ + V ₁ + V ₁ + V ₁ (28)

Combining the above equations (22) and (28), it is determined that V ₁ = (3/8) V _in and V ₂ = (1/8) V _in .

The load voltage to the load 25 is determined by the capacitor C6 in the path from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the load 25 via the switch S2, the connection point 40, the capacitor C6, the connection point 39, and the connection point 32 (negative In consideration of the voltage drop, the following equation holds.
V _in = −V ₂ + V _OUT (29)

From Formula (29), it is determined that V _OUT = (9/8) V _in .

Next, when turning on S3, switch S3, connection point 41, capacitor C7, connection point 40, capacitor C6, connection points 39 and 33, capacitor C1, connection point 34, capacitor C2, and connection from electric double layer capacitor module 26 Considering the path from the point 35 to the common potential point 36 via the capacitor C3, the following equation holds for the voltage drop.
_{V in = -V 2 -V 2 +} V 1 + V 1 + V 1 (30)

Combining the equation (22) and the equation (30), it is determined that V ₁ = (3/7) V _in and V ₂ = (1/7) V _in .

Further, the load voltage _Vout is in a path from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 to the load 25 through the switch S3, the connection point 41, the capacitor C7, the connection point 40, the capacitor C6, the connection point 39, and the connection point 32. Considering the occurrence of a (negative) voltage drop due to C6 and C7, it is determined by the following equation.
V _in = −V ₂ −V ₂ + V _out (31)

Therefore, V _out = (9/7) V _in .

Next, when turning on S4, switch S4, connection point 42, capacitor C8, connection point 41, capacitor C7, connection point 40, capacitor C6, connection points 39 and 33, capacitor C1, connection from electric double layer capacitor module 26 Considering the path leading to the common potential point 36 via the point 34, the capacitor C2, the connection point 35, and the capacitor C3, the following expression holds for the voltage drop.
V _in = −V ₂ −V ₂ −V ₂ + V ₁ + V ₁ + V ₁ (32)

By combining the equation (22) and the equation (32), it is determined that V ₁ = (1/2) V _in and V ₂ = (1/6) V _in .

Further, the load voltage _Vout is loaded from the electric double layer capacitor module 26 through the switch S4, the connection point 42, the capacitor C8, the connection point 41, the capacitor C7, the connection point 40, the capacitor C6, the connection point 39, and the connection point 32. In consideration of the occurrence of a (negative) voltage drop due to C6, C7, and C8 in the path to 25, the following equation is used.
V _in = −V ₂ −V ₂ −V ₂ + V _out (33)

Therefore, V _out = (3/2) V _in .

As described above, the load voltages when S1 to S4 are turned on in the configuration of FIG. 16 are V _in , (9/8) V _in , (9/7) V _in , and (3/2) V _in , respectively. Boosted. The input / output voltage ratio has a reciprocal relationship with the input / output voltage ratio in the power supply system of FIG.

Operation of Power Supply System 23 Next, the operation of the power supply system 23 in the eleventh embodiment will be described. First, as an initial state, the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is charged by applying a voltage of an arbitrary voltage within the operating voltage range of the load 25. All of S1 to S4 in the switch group 30 are turned off, and the discharge to the load 25 has not yet started.

  Only the switch S1 is turned on by a signal from the switch control circuit 29, and discharge is started. The load voltage at this time is equal to the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 as described above (therefore, power supply is performed within the operating voltage range of the load 25 at the start of discharge).

  As the discharge progresses, the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 decreases, and at the same time, the load voltage applied to the load 25 also decreases. The voltage detection circuit 27 monitors the decreasing voltage and outputs a signal corresponding to the voltage to the determination circuit 28.

  The determination circuit 28 presets the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 notified from the voltage detection circuit 27 at predetermined time intervals determined by a clock frequency of an arithmetic unit (not shown) constituting the determination circuit. Compare with the given voltage.

The predetermined voltage is typically determined by the lower limit value of the operating voltage range of the load 25 and the switching state of the switch group 30. That is, when the switch 1 is turned on, in order to determine whether the load voltage V _in is higher than the minimum operating voltage range, V _in, that is, the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26, the operation It compares with the predetermined voltage (henceforth a 1st predetermined voltage value) defined as a lower limit of voltage.

  When the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 exceeds the first predetermined voltage value, the load 25 is supplied with a sufficient voltage exceeding the lower limit of the operating voltage range. Therefore, since it is not necessary to perform switch switching in the switch group 30, the determination circuit 28 does not output a signal to the switch control circuit 29 (or a signal for notifying that the current switching is appropriate and switching is not necessary). May be output.)

  Since the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 continues to decrease due to the discharge, at a certain point in time, the determination circuit 28 detects that the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is lower than the first predetermined voltage value. At this point, the determination circuit 28 outputs a signal for switching the switch to the switch control circuit 29. (Alternatively, in order to avoid that the load voltage temporarily falls outside the operating voltage range, when the difference between the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 and the first predetermined voltage value falls below a predetermined lower limit value, It may be configured to output such a signal.)

  In response to the signal received from the determination circuit 28, the switch control circuit 29 turns off the switch S1 and turns on the switch S2. As a result, the load voltage becomes (9/8) times the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26, and the load voltage rises and falls within the operating voltage range.

  As the discharge further progresses, the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 further decreases, and at the same time, the load voltage applied to the load 25 also decreases. The voltage detection circuit 27 continues to monitor this decreasing voltage and outputs a signal corresponding to the voltage to the determination circuit 28.

  The determination circuit 28 compares the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 notified from the voltage detection circuit 27 with a predetermined voltage set in advance at each predetermined time interval.

However, the predetermined voltage to be used for comparison here is different from the first predetermined voltage value. That is, when the switch S2 is turned on, in order to determine whether the load voltage (9/8) V _in is higher than the minimum operating voltage range, V _in, namely the electric double layer capacitor module 26 Is compared with a predetermined voltage determined as 8/9 times the lower limit value of the operating voltage (hereinafter referred to as a second predetermined voltage value). Such switching of the predetermined voltage value is performed when a signal instructing switching of the switch to be turned on in the determination circuit 28 from S1 to S2 is output to the switch control circuit 29 (or notification that the switch has been switched). When a signal is received from the switch control circuit 29).

  When the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 exceeds the second predetermined voltage value, the load 25 is supplied with a sufficient voltage that exceeds the lower limit of the operating voltage range. Therefore, since it is not necessary to perform switch switching in the switch group 30, the determination circuit 28 does not output a signal to the switch control circuit 29 (or a signal for notifying that the current switching is appropriate and switching is not necessary). May be output.)

  Since the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 continues to decrease due to the discharge, at a certain point in time, the determination circuit 28 detects that the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is below the second predetermined voltage value. At this point, the determination circuit 28 outputs a signal for switching the switch to the switch control circuit 29. (Alternatively, in order to avoid that the load voltage temporarily falls outside the operating voltage range, when the difference between the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 and the second predetermined voltage value falls below a predetermined lower limit value, It may be configured to output such a signal.)

  In response to the signal received from the determination circuit 28, the switch control circuit 29 turns off the switch S2 and turns on the switch S3. As a result, the load voltage becomes (9/7) times the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26, and the load voltage rises again and falls within the operating voltage range.

  As the discharge further progresses, the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 further decreases, and at the same time, the load voltage applied to the load 25 also decreases. The voltage detection circuit 27 continues to monitor this decreasing voltage and outputs a signal corresponding to the voltage to the determination circuit 28.

  The determination circuit 28 compares the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 notified from the voltage detection circuit 27 with a predetermined voltage set in advance at each predetermined time interval.

However, the predetermined voltage to be used for comparison here is different from the second predetermined voltage value. That is, when the switch S3 is turned on, in order to determine whether the load voltage (9/7) V _in is higher than the minimum operating voltage range, V _in, namely the electric double layer capacitor module 26 Is compared with a predetermined voltage determined as 7/9 times the lower limit value of the operating voltage (hereinafter referred to as a third predetermined voltage value). Such switching of the predetermined voltage value is performed when a signal instructing switching of the switch to be turned on in the determination circuit 28 from S2 to S3 is output to the switch control circuit 29 (or notification that the switch has been switched). When a signal is received from the switch control circuit 29).

  When the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 exceeds the third predetermined voltage value, the load 25 is supplied with a sufficient voltage that exceeds the lower limit of the operating voltage range. Therefore, since it is not necessary to perform switch switching in the switch group 30, the determination circuit 28 does not output a signal to the switch control circuit 29 (or a signal for notifying that the current switching is appropriate and switching is not necessary). May be output.)

  Since the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 continues to decrease due to the discharge, at a certain point in time, the determination circuit 28 detects that the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is lower than the third predetermined voltage value. At this point, the determination circuit 28 outputs a signal for switching the switch to the switch control circuit 29. (Alternatively, in order to avoid that the load voltage is temporarily outside the operating voltage range even when temporarily, when the difference between the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 and the third predetermined voltage value falls below a predetermined lower limit value, It may be configured to output such a signal.)

  In response to the signal received from the determination circuit 28, the switch control circuit 29 turns off the switch S3 and simultaneously turns on the switch S4. As a result, the load voltage becomes (3/2) times the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26, and the load voltage rises again and falls within the operating voltage range.

  Thus, the load voltage can be suppressed within a certain arbitrary range by sequentially switching the switches S1 to S4. In the power supply system of FIG. 16, although the electric double layer capacitor module 26 has a one-series configuration, it uses a circuit module 24 having a two-stage configuration by cascading three series storage element switching circuits. In addition, the load voltage can be adjusted in four stages. The configuration of FIG. 16 is particularly effective when the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 needs to be boosted, such as when the load 25 requires a large operating voltage.

  Here, the case where the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is connected at the connection point 32 of the circuit module 24 (that is, the case where the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is connected from the connection point 39 in the second storage element switching circuit 38) has been described. Even when connected from the points 40 to 42, the operation is performed under the same principle. Further, the case where the second storage element switching circuit 38 is cascade-connected to the capacitor C1 of the first storage element switching circuit 31 has been described. However, when the second storage element switching circuit 38 is connected to another capacitor or connected to a plurality of capacitors. In this case (for example, C1 + C2), the operation is performed under the same principle.

  FIG. 17 shows the voltage of the load 25 at the time of discharging of the power supply system of FIG. 16 and the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 26 (denoted as EDLC voltage in FIG. 17). By switching the switch when the EDLC voltage drops to a predetermined voltage value, the load voltage is always kept within a certain range.

  FIG. 18 shows a twelfth embodiment of the present invention. The load 25 is connected to the second storage element switching circuit 38 via the first switch group 30, and the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is connected to the second storage element switching circuit 38 via the second switch group 37. Yes. By turning on any one of the switches S5 to S8 in the second switch group 37, the electric double layer capacitor module 26 is connected to one of the connection points 39 to 42, and the storage element switching circuits 31 and 38 are connected. The power is supplied to the load 25 via. Depending on the combination of switches that are turned on in the switch groups 30 and 37, all the connection states in FIGS. 14 and 16 can be realized.

Specifically, the input / output voltage ratio when the switch to be turned on in the first switch group 30 and the switch to be turned on in the second switch group 37 are selected is as shown in Table 3.

  Therefore, the set of switches to be turned on with the progress of discharge in the electric double layer capacitor module 4 is (S4, S5), (S4, S6), (S3, S5), (S4, S7), (S3, S6). ), (S2, S5), (S1, S5) or (S2, S6) or (S3, S7) or (S4, S8), (S1, S6), (S2, S7), (S3, S8), By appropriately switching to (S1, S7), (S2, S8), (S1, S8), it is possible to use the charging energy without waste while controlling the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor module 4 within the operating range. It becomes.

  A person skilled in the art can configure a power supply system having desired adjustment reference values and adjustment units by appropriately selecting a capacitor configuration and a switch group in the circuit module in accordance with the teaching of the present embodiment.

  For example, in Examples 7 to 12 described above, it has been described that the storage element switching circuit is configured to equalize all the storage element voltages in the circuit. Is just an example.

  That is, in the present invention that enables finer output voltage adjustment than before without requiring a multi-stage series configuration of electric double layer capacitors in units of individual storage element voltages, It is not essential that the device voltages are all equal. For example, in order to make adjustment possible in two steps, the storage device switching circuit is configured to apply two types of voltages to the respective storage devices. Is possible. Alternatively, all the storage element voltages may be adjusted to different values.

  Similarly, the storage element switching circuit has been described as having a configuration in which the connection state is switched by a switch in Examples 7 to 12 described above. However, in order to control the charge state of each storage element, a switch must be used. However, it is not necessary to perform control using, for example, a diode.

  In addition, in Examples 7 to 12 described above, the case where the electric double layer capacitor module is used as the power source has been described. However, any electric storage module such as a lithium ion capacitor or a secondary battery is used instead of the electric double layer capacitor module. It is possible to use any other power supply device.

  The present invention includes all the above variations within the scope as long as the object can be achieved.

  The power supply device according to the present invention can be used to supply power to any device that operates on electric power. For example, when used as a power source for an electric vehicle, the power supply device according to the present invention is significantly reduced in size and weight as compared with the conventional one, so that the weight of the entire vehicle body is reduced and energy consumption is suppressed. Alternatively, it is also effective to use the power supply device according to the present invention as a power supply device for supplying power to the planetary exploration measuring instrument. This is because the total weight of the equipment that can be loaded into the planetary explorer is strictly limited, and the power supply device for operating them is required to be as small and light as possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power supply device 2 Circuit module 3 Load 4 Power supply 5 1st electrical storage element switching circuit 6 2nd electrical storage element switching circuit 7 Switch group 8-14 Connection point 15 Common potential point 16 Connection point 17 2nd switch group 18 1st electrical storage element switching Circuit 19 Second storage element switching circuit 20 Third storage element switching circuit 21 First switch group 22 Second switch group 23 Power supply system 24 Circuit module 25 Load 26 Electric double layer capacitor module 27 Voltage detection circuit 28 Determination circuit 29 Switch control circuit 30 switch group 31 storage element switching circuits 32 to 35 connection point 36 common potential point 37 second switch group 38 second storage element switching circuits 39 to 42 connection point

Claims (22)

A storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements;
A switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, wherein two or more storage element groups present in a path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal are at least partially different A switch group configured to gradually adjust a voltage applied to a load connected to the first terminal by switching between connection states;
A circuit module comprising:
A power storage module connected to a second terminal of the circuit module;
Voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the power storage module;
Switch control means for switching the switches included in the switch group based on the detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means;
A switch connected to the first terminal of the circuit module by switching the switch included in the switch group by the switch control unit according to the voltage of the power storage module detected by the voltage detection unit. It is configured to adjust the voltage to be applied within a predetermined range,
Power system. A storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements;
A switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, wherein two or more storage element groups present in a path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal are at least partially different A switch group configured to gradually adjust a voltage applied to a load connected to the first terminal by switching between connection states;
A circuit module comprising:
A power storage module connected to a second terminal of the circuit module;
Voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the load;
Switch control means for switching the switches included in the switch group based on the detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means;
And applying to a load connected to the first terminal of the circuit module by switching a switch included in the switch group by the switch control means according to a voltage of the load detected by the voltage detection means. It is configured to adjust the voltage to be within a predetermined range,
Power system. A storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements;
A switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, wherein two or more storage element groups present in a path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal are at least partially different A switch group configured to gradually adjust a voltage applied to a load connected to the second terminal by switching between connection states;
A circuit module comprising:
A power storage module connected to the first terminal of the circuit module;
Voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the power storage module;
Switch control means for switching the switches included in the switch group based on the detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means;
A switch connected to the second terminal of the circuit module by switching a switch included in the switch group by the switch control unit according to the voltage of the power storage module detected by the voltage detection unit. It is configured to adjust the voltage to be applied within a predetermined range,
Power system. A storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements;
A switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, wherein two or more storage element groups present in a path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal are at least partially different A switch group configured to gradually adjust a voltage applied to a load connected to the second terminal by switching between connection states;
A circuit module comprising:
A power storage module connected to the first terminal of the circuit module;
Voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the load;
Switch control means for switching the switches included in the switch group based on the detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means;
And applying to a load connected to the second terminal of the circuit module by switching a switch included in the switch group by the switch control means according to the voltage of the load detected by the voltage detection means. It is configured to adjust the voltage to be within a predetermined range,
Power system. A storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements;
A first switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, wherein the storage element group existing in a path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal is at least partially different 2 A first switch group configured to stepwise adjust a voltage applied to a load connected to the first terminal by switching between the above connection states;
A second switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the second terminal, the storage element group existing in a path connecting the second terminal and the common potential point being at least partially different A second switch group configured to determine an adjustment unit of a voltage applied to the load adjusted by switching of the first switch group by switching between two or more connection states;
A circuit module comprising:
A power storage module connected to a second terminal of the circuit module;
Voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the power storage module;
Switch control means for switching the switches included in the first and second switch groups based on the detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means;
And switching the switches included in the first and second switch groups by the switch control means according to the voltage of the power storage module detected by the voltage detection means. The voltage applied to the connected load is configured to be adjusted within a predetermined range.
Power system. A storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements;
A first switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, wherein the storage element group existing in a path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal is at least partially different 2 A first switch group configured to stepwise adjust a voltage applied to a load connected to the first terminal by switching between the above connection states;
A second switch group connected between the storage element switching circuit and the second terminal, the storage element group existing in a path connecting the second terminal and the common potential point being at least partially different A second switch group configured to determine an adjustment unit of a voltage applied to the load adjusted by switching of the first switch group by switching between two or more connection states;
A circuit module comprising:
A power storage module connected to a second terminal of the circuit module;
Voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the load;
Switch control means for switching the switches included in the first and second switch groups based on the detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means;
Connected to the first terminal of the circuit module by switching the switches included in the first and second switch groups by the switch control means according to the voltage of the load detected by the voltage detection means. The voltage applied to the load to be applied is configured to adjust within a predetermined range,
Power system. A first storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements;
A second storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements connected in cascade with one or more storage elements included in the first storage element switching circuit;
A switch group connected between the second storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, the storage element group existing in a path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal being at least partially different 2 A switch group configured to adjust stepwise the voltage applied to the load connected to the first terminal by switching between the above connection states;
A circuit module comprising:
A power storage module connected to a second terminal of the circuit module;
Voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the power storage module;
Switch control means for switching the switches included in the switch group based on the detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means;
A switch connected to the first terminal of the circuit module by switching the switch included in the switch group by the switch control unit according to the voltage of the power storage module detected by the voltage detection unit. It is configured to adjust the voltage to be applied within a predetermined range,
Power system. A first storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements;
A second storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements connected in cascade with one or more storage elements included in the first storage element switching circuit;
A switch group connected between the second storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, the storage element group existing in a path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal being at least partially different 2 A switch group configured to adjust stepwise the voltage applied to the load connected to the first terminal by switching between the above connection states;
A circuit module comprising:
A power storage module connected to a second terminal of the circuit module;
Voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the load;
Switch control means for switching the switches included in the switch group based on the detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means;
And applying to a load connected to the first terminal of the circuit module by switching a switch included in the switch group by the switch control means according to a voltage of the load detected by the voltage detection means. It is configured to adjust the voltage to be within a predetermined range,
Power system. A first storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements;
A second storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements connected in cascade with one or more storage elements included in the first storage element switching circuit;
A switch group connected between the second storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, the storage element group existing in a path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal being at least partially different 2 A switch group configured to adjust stepwise the voltage applied to the load connected to the second terminal by switching between the above connection states;
A circuit module comprising:
A power storage module connected to the first terminal of the circuit module;
Voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the power storage module;
Switch control means for switching the switches included in the switch group based on the detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means;
A switch connected to the second terminal of the circuit module by switching a switch included in the switch group by the switch control unit according to the voltage of the power storage module detected by the voltage detection unit. It is configured to adjust the voltage to be applied within a predetermined range,
Power system. A first storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements;
A second storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements connected in cascade with one or more storage elements included in the first storage element switching circuit;
A switch group connected between the second storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, the storage element group existing in a path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal being at least partially different 2 A switch group configured to adjust stepwise the voltage applied to the load connected to the second terminal by switching between the above connection states;
A circuit module comprising:
A power storage module connected to the first terminal of the circuit module;
Voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the load;
Switch control means for switching the switches included in the switch group based on the detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means;
And applying to a load connected to the second terminal of the circuit module by switching a switch included in the switch group by the switch control means according to the voltage of the load detected by the voltage detection means. It is configured to adjust the voltage to be within a predetermined range,
Power system. A first storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements;
A second storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements connected in cascade with one or more storage elements included in the first storage element switching circuit;
A first switch group connected between the second storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, wherein at least a part of the storage element group exists in a path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal. A first switch group configured to stepwise adjust a voltage applied to a load connected to the first terminal by switching between two or more different connection states;
A second switch group connected between the second storage element switching circuit and the second terminal, wherein at least one storage element group exists in a path connecting the second terminal and the common potential point. A second switch group configured to determine an adjustment unit of a voltage applied to the load adjusted by switching of the first switch group by switching between two or more different connection states;
A circuit module comprising:
A power storage module connected to a second terminal of the circuit module;
Voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the power storage module;
Switch control means for switching the switches included in the first and second switch groups based on the detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means;
And switching the switches included in the first and second switch groups by the switch control unit according to the voltage of the power storage module detected by the voltage detection unit, thereby providing the first terminal of the circuit module. The voltage applied to the connected load is configured to be adjusted within a predetermined range.
Power system. A first storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements;
A second storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements connected in cascade with one or more storage elements included in the first storage element switching circuit;
A first switch group connected between the second storage element switching circuit and the first terminal, wherein at least a part of the storage element group exists in a path connecting the first terminal and the second terminal. A first switch group configured to stepwise adjust a voltage applied to a load connected to the first terminal by switching between two or more different connection states;
A second switch group connected between the second storage element switching circuit and the second terminal, wherein at least one storage element group exists in a path connecting the second terminal and the common potential point. A second switch group configured to determine an adjustment unit of a voltage applied to the load adjusted by switching of the first switch group by switching between two or more different connection states;
A circuit module comprising:
A power storage module connected to a second terminal of the circuit module;
Voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the load;
Switch control means for switching the switches included in the first and second switch groups based on the detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means;
Connected to the first terminal of the circuit module by switching the switches included in the first and second switch groups by the switch control means according to the voltage of the load detected by the voltage detection means. The voltage applied to the load to be applied is configured to adjust within a predetermined range,
Power system.   The power storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the power storage module includes at least one of an electric double layer capacitor module, a lithium ion capacitor, and a secondary battery. A storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements;
A first switch group;
A circuit module comprising:
A power source connected to the first terminal of the circuit module;
Voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the power source;
Switch control means for switching a switch included in the first switch group based on a detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means;
And a load connected to the second terminal of the circuit module by switching a switch included in the first switch group by the switch control unit according to the voltage of the power source detected by the voltage detection unit. It is configured to adjust the voltage to be applied to within a predetermined range,
Power system. A storage element switching circuit including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements;
A first switch group;
A circuit module comprising:
A power source connected to the first terminal of the circuit module;
Voltage detecting means for detecting a voltage of a load connected to the second terminal of the circuit module;
Switch control means for switching a switch included in the first switch group based on a detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means;
The switch control means switches the switches included in the first switch group according to the voltage of the load detected by the voltage detection means, so that the voltage applied to the load falls within a predetermined range. Characterized in that it is configured to adjust,
Power system. A storage element switching circuit from the first stage to the n-th stage (n is an integer of 2 or more), each including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements;
A first switch group;
The k-th storage element switching circuit (k is an integer of 2 or more), and a circuit module cascade-connected to one or more storage elements included in the k-1th storage element switching circuit;
A power source connected to the first terminal of the circuit module;
Voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the power source;
Switch control means for switching the switches included in the switch group based on the detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means;
And a load connected to the second terminal of the circuit module by switching a switch included in the first switch group by the switch control unit according to the voltage of the power source detected by the voltage detection unit. It is configured to adjust the voltage to be applied to within a predetermined range,
Power system. A storage element switching circuit from the first stage to the n-th stage (n is an integer of 2 or more), each including two or more storage elements and two or more switch elements;
A first switch group;
The k-th storage element switching circuit (k is an integer of 2 or more), and a circuit module cascade-connected to one or more storage elements included in the k-1th storage element switching circuit;
A power source connected to the first terminal of the circuit module;
Voltage detecting means for detecting a voltage of a load connected to the second terminal of the circuit module;
Switch control means for switching the switches included in the switch group based on the detection result of the voltage from the voltage detection means;
The switch control means switches the switches included in the first switch group according to the voltage of the load detected by the voltage detection means, so that the voltage applied to the load falls within a predetermined range. Characterized in that it is configured to adjust,
Power system.   The power supply system according to claim 14 or 17, wherein the power supply includes at least one of an electric double layer capacitor module, a lithium ion capacitor, and a secondary battery.   19. The power supply system according to claim 14, wherein each of the power storage elements includes a capacitor or a secondary battery.   20. The power supply system according to claim 14, wherein the first switch group includes an electronic switch.   The power supply system according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the first switch group includes a mechanical switch.   The circuit module further includes a second switch group, and the second switch group is at least partially different from a power storage element group existing in a path connecting the first terminal and a common potential point in the circuit module. The circuit module according to any one of claims 14 to 21, which is a switch group configured to switch between two or more connection states.

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