JP2012157224A - Battery adapter, battery output control method, and battery output control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery adapter capable of outputting power of a battery or a cell with economy when the battery or the cell is used as a power source.SOLUTION: Battery specification setting information at least including a type, an output condition, and a charging condition of a mounted battery 20 or a cell is set and registered preliminarily in a battery specification data part 8 based on data from an external communication terminal transmitted via power lines 201 and 202 or on an operation of a setting switch circuit of a panel circuit 9 operated by a user. A DC/DC converter 6 converts the output of the battery 20 or the cell into a value calculated based on the battery specification setting information, measurement results of a temperature, a voltage, and a current of the battery 20 or the cell, and a power feeding condition of a load device which is acquired via the power lines 201 and 202, and outputs the value. When the battery 20 is charged, a DC power supply voltage is converted into a charging voltage calculated based on the battery specification setting information and the measurement results of the temperature, the voltage, and the current of the battery 20, and the battery 20 is charged by the charging voltage.

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery adapter, a battery output control method, and a battery output control program, and in particular, can be suitably applied to an application using a rechargeable battery or battery and maximizes the power of the battery or battery. The present invention relates to a battery adapter, a battery output control method, and a battery output control program. The present invention can be used for notebook computers, electric tools, electric automobiles, and the like that are mounted and used with batteries, and further, is a smart grid that generates and holds electric power and can be used for various purposes. It is particularly effective as a power utilization tool such as (Smart Grid: Intelligent Power Network), and can be applied to batteries such as mobile cameras, mobile phones, and flashlights by reducing the size of the circuit.

  In general, when a battery or a battery discharges power, the voltage decreases, and therefore, sufficient power cannot be supplied to a load device that supplies power, and the battery or battery cannot be used as a power source for the load device. Despite the power remaining in the battery, it had to be discarded, replaced, or charged. Further, when a plurality of batteries or batteries are connected and used as a single power source, it is necessary to use batteries and batteries having the same specifications and the same deterioration state and the same charge state.

  Therefore, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-291803 “Battery Life Prediction Device and Power Supply Device Using the Same” of Patent Document 1, in a normal use state, the deterioration state of each battery is diagnosed with high accuracy in a short time. Thus, there has been proposed a technology that makes it possible to predict and replace a battery life time when it becomes difficult to supply power to the load device even if the battery power remains.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-291803 (page 3-5)

  As described above, when a battery such as a battery in use or a rechargeable secondary battery is used as a power source, power is supplied even though power still remains due to a decrease in the output voltage. In order to be unable to satisfy the power requirement of the load device, it has been necessary to replace or recharge.

  In addition, when using multiple batteries or batteries as a power source, if different types of batteries or batteries are used, or batteries or batteries with different charge states are used as power sources, each battery The amount of voltage and current that can be output differs between batteries and batteries. As a result, in each battery or battery, the voltage or current that can be output is lowered to the battery or battery side having the lowest voltage or the lowest current.

  For example, when a new battery and an old battery are connected in parallel, the voltage of the new battery is also reduced to the voltage output by the old battery, and even if the power of the new battery remains, the power supply for supplying power to the load device As a result, the voltage becomes low and cannot be used.

  Therefore, when using multiple batteries or batteries as a power source, they must be of the same type and charged at the same level. There was a problem that could not be fully utilized.

  Furthermore, when different types of batteries or batteries are used together and connected as a power source, the voltage output from each battery or battery is different, causing unnecessary current to flow between the batteries or batteries. There is also a problem that the battery is further deteriorated, or in some cases, the battery is broken or abnormal heat is generated.

(Object of the present invention)
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a battery adapter, a battery output control method, and a battery output control program capable of outputting battery and battery power when used as a power source without waste. Is the purpose.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the battery adapter, the battery output control method, and the battery output control program according to the present invention mainly adopt the following characteristic configuration.

  (1) A battery adapter according to the present invention is a battery adapter that includes a DC / DC converter that mounts a battery or a battery and adjusts a charging voltage for the battery or an output voltage from the battery or the battery. Battery specification setting information including at least battery type, output condition, and charging condition is preliminarily determined based on data from an external communication terminal transmitted via a power line or operation of a setting switch circuit of a panel circuit operated by a user. A battery specification data section for setting and registering, when supplying the output of the DC / DC converter to the load device via the power line, the power supply condition of the load device acquired via the power line, and the battery or battery At least one or more measurement results of temperature, voltage, and current of the battery and the battery. The battery / battery output is calculated by the DC / DC converter to any value that matches the power supply conditions of the load device, calculated based on the battery specification setting information set and registered in the re-spec data section. It converts, and it supplies with respect to the said load apparatus, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  (2) A battery output control method according to the present invention includes a battery or a battery, and a battery output control method in a battery adapter including a DC / DC converter that adjusts a charging voltage for the battery or an output voltage from the battery or the battery. A setting switch circuit for panel data operated by a user or data from an external communication terminal transmitted through a power line, battery specification setting information including at least the battery or battery type, output condition, and charging condition When the output of the DC / DC converter is supplied to the load device via the power line by setting and registering in advance based on the operation of the power supply condition of the load device acquired via the power line, and Measurement of at least one or more of battery, battery temperature, voltage and current And the battery / battery output is converted by the DC / DC converter into any value that matches the power supply conditions of the load device, calculated based on the battery specification setting information registered in advance. Then, power is supplied to the load device.

  (3) A battery output control program according to the present invention is characterized in that at least the battery output control method described in (2) is implemented as a program executable by a computer.

  According to the battery adapter, the battery output control method, and the battery output control program of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  The first effect is that even if the battery or battery output voltage drops below the voltage required by the load device due to the battery or battery discharge, all the power remaining in the battery or battery is output. It can be used until the end. The reason is that the load device needs the output voltage of the battery or battery by controlling the DC / DC converter according to the battery or battery characteristics obtained from the outside, the current state of the battery or battery and the state of the load device. This is because it is possible to convert the voltage into a voltage to be output.

  The second effect is that it is possible to carry out charging optimal for the state of the battery in consideration of the charging voltage, charging current, and temperature state of the battery. The reason is that the battery specifications and charging conditions can be set externally by user operation of the setting switch circuit or data reception from an external communication terminal, etc., and the voltage, current, and temperature during charging / discharging can be set. This is because the deterioration state of the battery can be estimated from the observation result of the data, and charging according to the deterioration state of the battery can be performed.

  The third effect is that when a plurality of batteries or batteries are connected and used, they can be used without being aware of the type or deterioration state of the batteries or batteries and the state of charge. The reason is that the voltage and power required by the load device that supplies power, the characteristics of each connected battery or battery are set and registered in advance, or the communication terminal capable of power line communication or the battery adapter according to the present invention is used. By connecting the mounted battery or battery to the power line, it is possible to grasp the information of the load device connected to the power line and the information of the battery or battery mounted to each battery adapter, and all the power held by each battery or each battery This is because the output can be controlled.

It is a block block diagram which shows an example of the block configuration of the battery adapter by this invention. It is explanatory drawing which extracts and shows the site | part relevant to the charging operation of a battery among each circuit site | parts of the battery adapter shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a battery charging operation in the battery adapter of FIG. 1. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the battery output control method of the battery in the battery adapter of FIG. It is an external view explaining an example of the mounting shape of the battery adapter shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a connection configuration in which a plurality of battery adapters mounted in an outer box having the shape illustrated in FIG. 5 are connected in parallel and power is supplied to a light bulb serving as a load. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a connection configuration in which a plurality of battery adapters mounted in an outer box having the shape shown in FIG. 5 are connected in series and power is supplied to an electric drill serving as a load.

  Preferred embodiments of a battery adapter, a battery output control method, and a battery output control program according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the battery adapter and the battery output control method according to the present invention will be described. However, the battery output control method may be implemented as a battery output control program executable by a computer, or Needless to say, the battery output control program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

(Features of the present invention)
Prior to the description of the embodiments of the present invention, an outline of the features of the present invention will be described first. The present invention provides information including at least the type of battery or battery to be mounted, output conditions, and charging conditions (for example, in addition to the type of battery or battery to be mounted, its operation period, desired output voltage, current limit value, charging voltage) , Information on discharge end voltage, life time, etc.) can be preset and registered as battery specification setting information from the outside, and the measurement results of the battery specification setting information and the battery, battery temperature, discharge current, and discharge voltage And the power supply condition of the load device, the optimum power supply voltage for the load device is calculated, the voltage output from the battery or battery is converted to the optimum power supply voltage by the DC / DC converter circuit, and the battery In order to take into account the output status of the battery, monitor the temperature of the battery or battery, the discharge voltage, It is mainly characterized in that output to the location. Also, based on the battery specification setting information and the measurement results of the battery temperature, charging current, and charging voltage, the optimum charging voltage of the battery is calculated, and the input DC power supply voltage is converted to the optimum charging voltage. In order to consider the state of charge of the battery, the main feature is to charge the battery while monitoring the state of the battery temperature, the charge voltage, and the charge current.

  Further, when the battery power is completely discharged and the discharge is terminated, the user is notified in advance by turning on an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or outputting an alarm (alarm) due to a buzzer sounding. Further, the deterioration state of the battery due to the charging operation or the discharging operation is measured, the life time is estimated, and the estimated life time is notified to the user by LED lighting or buzzer sounding.

  In addition, when using in parallel or series connection with other batteries, after obtaining and setting the type and characteristic information of other batteries in advance, connecting to other batteries will allow It is possible to output a voltage according to the specifications.

  In addition, when the batteries connected to the battery adapter according to the present invention are used in parallel or directly connected to each other, the voltage set as an optimum value for feeding the load device from any battery adapter is output, and each By providing a communication function for the battery adapters to communicate with each other via the power line, it is possible to output power to the load device while adjusting to the optimum output condition of each battery based on the communication data of each other. .

  In addition, by connecting a communication terminal having a communication function on the power line equivalent to the battery adapter according to the present invention on the power line, the communication data on the power line with the communication terminal is used to connect to the power line. It is possible to check the settings of each battery adapter and the battery status.

(Configuration example of embodiment)
Next, a configuration example of the battery adapter according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an example of a block configuration of a battery adapter according to the present invention. In the following description, a case where a rechargeable secondary battery is mounted on the battery adapter will be described. However, a battery that cannot be charged (dry battery) is mounted. It doesn't matter. In the case of using a battery (dry battery), as a matter of course, when all the discharge is completed and the remaining power is exhausted, the battery cannot be charged, so the battery is replaced.

  A battery adapter 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes battery connection terminals 1 and 2, a battery charging circuit 3, a current / voltage sensor 4, a temperature sensor 5, a DC / DC converter 6, a battery adapter control circuit 7, a battery specification data section 8, and a panel circuit. 9. Power line communication circuit 10 and power input / output units 11 and 12 are provided at least.

  Here, the battery connection terminals 1 and 2 are connection terminals for connecting a power supply terminal of the battery 20, and the power input / output units 11 and 12 supply power (DC power supply voltage) to the battery adapter 100, This is an input / output terminal that converts 20 electric power by the DC / DC converter 6 and outputs it.

  Based on the control of the battery adapter control circuit 7, the battery charging circuit 3 is a battery charging voltage that is an optimum voltage for the specification (battery specification setting information) of the battery 20 set in the battery specification data section 8 and the current state. Is a circuit for charging the battery 20.

  The current / voltage sensor 4 is a measuring instrument that measures the output voltage, charging voltage, and input / output current (output current and charging current) of the battery 20, and the temperature sensor 5 is a measurement that measures the temperature of the battery 20. And outputs data for estimating the charging state and discharging state of the battery 20 to the battery adapter control circuit 7.

  The DC / DC converter 6 is connected to the conditions set in the battery specification data section 8, the power input / output sections 11 and 12 of the battery adapter 100, that is, the other battery adapters 101 connected to the power lines 201 and 202, and external communication. Based on the control information of the battery adapter control circuit 7 determined based on the information from the terminal, the charging voltage for charging the battery 20 is converted into the optimum charging voltage and output to the battery 20 or vice versa. In addition, the power converter converts the output power of the battery 20 into an optimum voltage to be supplied to the load device and outputs the power so that the output power of the battery 20 can be utilized to the maximum.

  The battery specification data unit 8 is a part for storing the specification data of the battery 20 set in advance by the operation result of the setting switch circuit of the panel circuit 9 and the reception data of the power line communication circuit 10 as the battery specification setting information. Here, the battery specification setting information of the battery 20 includes information including at least the type of the battery 20 to be mounted, the output condition, and the charging condition (for example, in addition to the type of the battery 20 to be mounted, its operation period, output voltage to be used) , Current limit value, charging voltage, discharge end voltage, life time information, etc.).

  The panel circuit 9 includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that lights and displays the state of the battery adapter 100 and the estimated life time, a buzzer (alarm) that notifies the deterioration, abnormality, and estimated life time of the battery 20 by a ringing sound, It is a human interface circuit unit including a setting switch circuit for setting the operation of the adapter.

  That is, when all the electric power of the battery 20 has been discharged and the discharge has ended, the user is notified in advance by outputting an alarm (warning) by turning on an LED or sounding a buzzer. Further, the deterioration state of the battery 20 due to the charging operation or the discharging operation is measured, the life time is estimated, and the estimated life time is notified to the user by LED lighting or buzzer sounding. The setting switch circuit also includes information including at least the type of the battery 20 to be mounted, the output condition, and the charging condition, for example, the type and operation period of the battery 20, the output voltage to be used, the current limit value, the charging voltage, and the discharge end voltage. When the user sets information such as the life time, it can be set and registered in the battery specification data section 8 as battery specification setting information.

  The power line communication circuit 10 is connected to other battery adapters 101,... Connected to the power input / output units 11 and 12 and external communication terminals via the power lines 201 and 202, and charging of the battery 20 It is a communication circuit for communicating information such as a discharge state. For example, an optimum charging voltage for charging the battery 20 is calculated, or each battery adapter 100 is linked with other battery adapters 101. , 101,..., Data for converting the output voltage of each battery 20 and calculating an optimum voltage to be output to the load device in order to make maximum use of each battery power. Are transmitted / received via the power lines 201 and 202.

  Further, the battery adapter control circuit 7 utilizes the specification data stored in the battery specification data section 8 and the measurement data of the current / voltage sensor 4 and the temperature sensor 5 to use the battery charging circuit 3, the DC / DC converter 6, and the panel circuit 9. Or the power line communication circuit 10 is controlled to perform optimal battery charging for the battery 20 or to output the power of the battery 20 without waste.

  For example, when the battery adapter control circuit 7 is used in parallel connection or series connection with another battery or battery, the battery adapter control circuit 7 obtains in advance the type and characteristic information (specifications, charge state, etc.) of the other battery or battery. After saving, by connecting to another battery or battery, the DC / DC converter 6 is controlled to convert the output voltage of the battery 20 to the same output state as the specifications of the other battery or battery and output it. Making it possible.

  Alternatively, when the battery adapter control circuit 7 is used by connecting the batteries 20 to which the battery adapters 100, 101,... According to the present invention are connected in parallel or directly, the battery adapter control circuit 7 loads from any of the battery adapters 100, 101,. The battery 20 outputs the voltage set as the optimum value for supplying power to the device, and the battery adapters 100, 101,... It is possible to output power to the load device while converting to the same output state as the battery adapters 100, 101,... And adjusting to the optimum output condition of each battery 20.

  Alternatively, by connecting a communication terminal having a communication function on the power line equivalent to the battery adapter 100 according to the present invention to the power line, the battery adapter control circuit 7 connects the power lines 201 and 202 to the communication terminal. The settings of the battery adapters 100, 101,... Connected on the power line and the state of the battery can be confirmed using communication data transmitted / received via the communication line.

(Description of operation of embodiment)
Next, an example of the operation of the battery adapter 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the explanatory diagram of FIG. 2 and the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an extracted portion related to the charging operation of the battery 20 among the circuit portions of the battery adapter 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the charging operation of the battery 20 in the battery adapter 100 of FIG.

  As shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 2, the charging operation of the battery 20 is executed under the control of the battery adapter control circuit 7 that controls each circuit portion of the battery adapter 100. The battery adapter control circuit 7 appropriately controls the battery charging circuit 3 based on the battery specification setting information stored in the battery specification data unit 8 and the measurement results of the current voltage sensor 4 and the temperature sensor 5, and the power input / output unit 11. , 12, the charging power (DC power supply voltage) taken from the outside is set to an optimum charging voltage and supplied to the battery 20, thereby charging the battery 20. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the battery charging circuit 3 performs an operation of converting a DC power supply voltage into a voltage value for charging the battery 20, but depending on the case, the DC-DC converter 6 may be used. Thus, the operation of converting the DC power supply voltage into the voltage value for charging the battery 20 is performed, and the battery charging circuit 3 controls the charging operation for the battery 20 using the charging voltage converted by the DC-DC converter 6. You may do it.

  Next, the charging operation of the battery 20 will be described in more detail using the flowchart of FIG. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, prior to the charging operation of the battery 20, first, a user operation of the setting switch circuit of the panel circuit 9 or data from an external communication terminal is received via the power lines 201 and 202. When battery specification setting information relating to the type of the battery 20, charging / discharging, or the like is input from the output from the power line communication circuit 10, the battery specification setting information is stored in the battery specification data section 8 under the control of the battery adapter control circuit 7. Are registered in advance (step S10).

  When the charging operation of the battery 20 is started in the state where the battery specification setting information is set and registered in the battery specification data section 8, the battery adapter control circuit 7 first determines the output voltage of the battery 20 from the current voltage sensor 4. To determine whether the battery 20 is connected to the battery connection terminals 1 and 2 of the battery adapter 100 (step S1). When the measurement result of the output voltage of the battery 20 is 0V and the battery 20 is not connected to the battery connection terminals 1 and 2 (in the case of “voltage = 0V” in step S1), the panel indicates that the battery is not mounted. Displayed on the LED of the circuit 9 (step S3), the battery 20 connection confirmation operation in step S1 is repeated until the user mounts the battery 20.

  On the other hand, when the measurement result of the output voltage of the battery 20 is other than 0V and the battery 20 is connected to the battery connection terminals 1 and 2 (in the case of “voltage ≠ 0V” in step S1), the battery in step S10 The battery specification setting information of the battery 20 set and registered in advance in the specification data section 8 is confirmed (step S2).

  As a result of checking the battery specification setting information, when the battery 20 connected to the battery connection terminals 1 and 2 is a rechargeable secondary battery, and the charging condition and characteristic data of the battery 20 are obtained, the battery adapter By controlling the control circuit 7, the charging voltage of the battery charging circuit 3 is set so that the current voltage condition of the battery 20 connected to the battery connection terminals 1 and 2 is optimal, and the battery 20 is charged. Is started (step S4). Here, when a battery that cannot be charged is connected to the battery connection terminals 1 and 2, the fact that a battery that cannot be charged is connected is displayed on the LED of the panel circuit 9 to the user. The charging operation of FIG. 3 is terminated.

  In a state where the battery 20 is being charged, under the control of the battery adapter control circuit 7, the charging voltage, charging current, and battery temperature of the battery 20 are constantly measured by the current voltage sensor 4 and the temperature sensor 5 (step S5), It is confirmed whether or not an abnormality has occurred (step S6).

  When an abnormal value is detected in the charging voltage, charging current, or battery temperature (Yes in step S6), a communication terminal or other battery adapter 101,... Is connected to the power input / output units 1 and 2, that is, the power lines 201 and 202. If the power line communication circuit 10 is driven and the charging operation of the battery 20 of the battery adapter 100 becomes abnormal via the power lines 201 and 202, the external communication terminal or other battery adapter 101 is notified. Are notified to the user by displaying on the LED of the panel circuit 9 that the abnormality has occurred (step S8), and then the charging operation is stopped.

  On the other hand, when no abnormal value is detected in the charging voltage, charging current, and battery temperature (No in step S6), the measured charging voltage value, charging current value, and battery temperature are analyzed, and the battery 20 is fully charged. It is confirmed whether or not (step S7). When the battery 20 has not reached the fully charged state (No in Step S7), the process returns to Step S5 to continue the charging operation and continue the measurement operation of the charging voltage, the charging current, and the battery temperature of the battery 20. .

  On the other hand, when the battery 20 reaches the fully charged state (Yes in step S7), the charging operation of the battery 20 is stopped or the trickle charging operation is performed on the assumption that the charging operation of the battery 20 is normally completed. The operation is shifted (step S9).

  Next, an example of the battery output control method of the battery 20 in the battery adapter 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a battery output control method of the battery 20 in the battery adapter 100 of FIG.

  Also in the flowchart of FIG. 4, as in the case of the charging operation of FIG. 3, prior to the battery output operation, first, data from an external communication terminal is transferred to the power line 201 by user operation of the setting switch circuit of the panel circuit 9. , 202, when battery specification setting information relating to the type of the battery 20, charging / discharging, and the like is input by the output from the power line communication circuit 10 received via the battery adapter control circuit 7, the battery specification setting information is received. Is registered in advance in the battery specification data section 8 (step S20).

  When the battery output operation of the battery 20 is started in the state where the battery specification setting information is set and registered in the battery specification data unit 8, the battery adapter control circuit 7 firstly performs the same operation as in the case of the charging operation of FIG. Then, the output voltage of the battery 20 is measured by the current / voltage sensor 4, and it is confirmed whether or not the battery 20 is connected to the battery connection terminals 1 and 2 of the battery adapter 100 (step S11). When the measurement result of the output voltage of the battery 20 is 0 V and the battery 20 is not connected to the battery connection terminals 1 and 2 (in the case of “voltage = 0 V” in step S11), the panel indicates that the battery is not mounted. Displayed on the LED of the circuit 9 (step S13), the battery 20 connection confirmation operation in step S1 is repeated until the user mounts the battery 20.

  On the other hand, when the measurement result of the output voltage of the battery 20 is other than 0V and the battery 20 is connected to the battery connection terminals 1 and 2 (in the case of “voltage ≠ 0V” in step S11), the battery in step S20 The battery specification setting information of the battery 20 set and registered in advance in the specification data section 8 is confirmed (step S12).

  When data indicating the battery specifications and the charging state of the battery 20 connected to the battery connection terminals 1 and 2 is obtained as the confirmation result of the battery specification setting information, the data is communicated to the power input / output units 1 and 2, that is, the power lines 201 and 202. When terminals and other battery adapters 101,... Are connected, the power line communication circuit 10 uses the power input / output units 11 and 12, that is, the power lines 201 and 202 to connect to the external power lines 201 and 202. DC / DC based on the control information of the battery adapter control circuit 7 confirmed together with the information from the other communication terminals, the status of the batteries of the other battery adapters 101,... And the power supply conditions of the load device as the power supply destination. By controlling the converter 6, it is possible to make maximum use of the output voltage of the battery 20 and the output power of the battery 20. So that, by converting the optimum output voltage to be supply the load device starts the operation to be output to the load device from the power input unit 11 (step S14).

  Here, when the battery adapter control circuit 7 is used in parallel connection or series connection with another battery or battery, the battery adapter control circuit 7 obtains and stores the type and characteristic information of the other battery or battery in advance, The DC / DC converter 6 is controlled by being connected to the other battery or battery, and the output voltage of the battery 20 is converted to a voltage that matches the specifications of the other battery and output.

  Further, when the batteries 20 connected to the battery adapter 100 as shown in FIG. 1 are used in parallel or directly connected to each other, the optimum value for supplying power to the load device from any of the battery adapters 100, 101,. The battery adapter control circuit 7 communicates with each other by providing a communication function, that is, a power line communication circuit 10 that outputs the above-mentioned voltage and communicates with each other via the power lines 201, 202. Based on the data, control is performed so that power can be output to the load device while adjusting to the optimum output condition of each battery 20.

  Further, by connecting a communication terminal having a communication function on the power line equivalent to that of the battery adapter 100 as shown in FIG. 1 to the power lines 201 and 202, the battery adapter control circuit 7 causes the power line 201 to communicate with the communication terminal. , 202 is used to control the settings of the battery adapters 100, 101,... Connected to the power lines 201, 202 and the state of the batteries 20 using the communication data on the power lines 201, 202. Yes.

  In the battery output operation state of the battery 20, the battery adapter control circuit 7 controls the current voltage sensor 4 and the temperature sensor 5 to constantly measure the charging voltage, charging current, and battery temperature of the battery 20, and the power line 201, The state of other battery adapters 101 connected to 202, information from an external communication terminal and the state of the load device are constantly received by the power line communication circuit 10 (step S15), and the battery 20 of the battery adapter 100 is received. It is confirmed whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the battery output operation (step S16).

  When an abnormality is detected in the battery output operation of the battery 20 of the battery adapter 100 (Yes in step S16), the communication terminals and other battery adapters 101,... Are connected to the power input / output units 1 and 2, that is, the power lines 201 and 202. If the power line communication circuit 10 is driven and the output operation of the battery 20 of the battery adapter 100 becomes abnormal via the power lines 201 and 202, the external communication terminal or other battery is notified. In addition to notifying the adapters 101,... And the load device, the fact that an abnormality has occurred in the output operation of the battery 20 is displayed on the LED of the panel circuit 9, and a buzzer is sounded to notify the user (step S18). Here, even in cooperation with the other battery adapters 101,..., If the battery output of the battery 20 of the battery adapter 100 cannot be continued, the fact that the output has been stopped is also notified in advance.

  On the other hand, when no abnormality is detected in the battery output operation of the battery 20 of the battery adapter 100 (No in step S16), the measured discharge voltage value, discharge current value, and battery temperature are analyzed, and the power of the battery 20 is analyzed. Is completely discharged, and it is confirmed whether or not the output voltage of the battery 20 has dropped below a predetermined discharge end voltage (step S17). If the output voltage of the battery 20 has not dropped below the end-of-discharge voltage (No in step S17), the process returns to step S15 to continue the battery output operation, and the discharge voltage, discharge current, and battery of the battery 20 are continued. The operation of measuring the temperature, the state of the other battery adapters 101,..., The state of the external communication terminal, and the state of the load device are continued.

  On the other hand, when the output voltage of the battery 20 drops below the end-of-discharge voltage (Yes in step S17), the communication terminals and other battery adapters 101,... Are connected to the power input / output units 1 and 2, that is, the power lines 201 and 202. If the power line communication circuit 10 is driven, the external communication terminal indicates that the output voltage of the battery 20 of the battery adapter 100 has dropped to the discharge end voltage or lower via the power lines 201 and 202. By notifying the other battery adapters 101,... And the load device, adjustment regarding the output power of the battery 20 is performed in cooperation with the other battery adapters 101,... (Step S19).

  Here, even if the power of the battery 20 is completely discharged and the output power is adjusted in cooperation with the other battery adapters 101,..., The battery output of the battery 20 of the battery adapter 100 cannot be continued. In such a case, the external communication terminal, other battery adapters 101,... And the load device are notified in advance that the output from the battery 20 has been stopped, and the output operation (discharge operation) of the battery 20 is stopped. This is displayed on the LED of the panel circuit 9, and a buzzer is sounded to notify the user (step S18).

  That is, when all the electric power of the battery 20 has been discharged and the discharge has ended, the user is notified in advance by lighting of the LED of the panel circuit 9 or by outputting an alarm (alarm) due to a buzzer sounding. Further, regarding the deterioration state of the battery 20 due to the discharge operation or the charge operation, even if the discharge end voltage is not reached by measuring any one or more of the temperature, the output voltage, and the output current of the battery 20 as appropriate. It is also possible to estimate the lifetime by referring to the characteristics of the battery 20 set and registered in the battery specification data section 8, and to notify the user of the estimated lifetime by turning on the LED of the panel circuit 9 or sounding the buzzer. It is.

(Example)
Next, specific examples of the battery adapter 100 described above will be further described.

  FIG. 5 is an external view for explaining an example of the mounting shape of the battery adapter 100 shown in FIG. 1, in which the battery adapter 100 on which the battery 20 is mounted is housed in a dry cell shape, that is, a cylindrical outer box 120. An example is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the power input / output units 11 and 12 serving as input / output interface terminal units to the outside of the battery adapter 100 are disposed so as to protrude from the ceiling surface and the bottom surface of the cylindrical outer box 120. The main body of the battery adapter 100 and the battery 20 are housed in the outer box 120. Here, as a specific size of the outer case 120, for example, if the AA size battery 20 or a battery (dry cell) is mounted on the battery adapter 100, the cylindrical outer case 120 is a single size. A size shape.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a connection configuration in which a plurality of battery adapters 100 mounted in the outer box 120 having the shape shown in FIG. The battery adapter 100 and two dry batteries are connected in parallel to supply power to a light bulb as a load.

  In FIG. 6, three battery adapters 100 and two single AA batteries 120 are connected in parallel to light the load device bulb 130, and each of the three battery adapters 100 is an AA size battery. 20 or a battery (dry battery) is mounted and accommodated in a single size outer box 120, so that the battery has a size similar to that of a single size dry battery of a different type.

  7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a connection configuration in which a plurality of battery adapters 100 mounted in the outer box 120 having the shape shown in FIG. A case is shown in which one battery adapter 100 and one dry battery are connected in series to supply power to an electric drill 140 serving as a load.

  In FIG. 7, two battery adapters 100 and one single dry cell 120 are connected in series to drive an electric drill 140 of the load device, and each of the two battery adapters 100 has an AA size. By mounting the battery 20 or a battery (dry battery) and storing it in a single size outer box 120, the size of the battery is the same as that of a single size dry battery of a different type.

  That is, in both FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the case where the battery adapter 100 is connected to different type single batteries is illustrated. Here, as described above, the battery adapter 100 is configured such that the battery adapter control circuit 7 is connected to the battery specifications and the power input / output units 11 and 12 that are set and registered in the battery specification data unit 8. 101,... Information about the battery, information about the dry cell, and power supply conditions of the load device as the power supply destination are acquired so that the battery 20 or battery (dry cell) mounted on the battery adapter 100 is in an optimum output state. In addition, the DC / DC converter 6 is controlled to convert the output voltage and output from the power input / output units 11 and 12 to the load device.

  Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, even when the battery adapter 100 is connected to connect different types of batteries, batteries, or batteries having different charge states, the battery adapter 100 is mounted on each battery adapter 100. It is possible to output all of the battery 20 and the remaining power of the battery. Furthermore, it is also possible to notify the user of the battery 20 or battery mounted on each battery adapter 100 by the external communication terminal, the LED of the panel circuit 9, or the buzzer.

(Explanation of effect of embodiment)
As described in detail above, the following effects are obtained in the present embodiment.

  The first effect is that even if the output voltage of the battery 20 or the battery drops below the voltage required by the load device due to the discharge of the battery 20 or the battery, the power remaining in the battery 20 or the battery is reduced. It is to be able to use it until it finishes outputting everything. The reason is that the DC / DC converter 6 is controlled by the control of the battery adapter control circuit 7 according to the characteristics of the battery 20 or the battery acquired from the outside, the current state of the battery 20 or the battery, and the state of the load device. This is because the output voltage of the battery 20 or the battery can be converted into a voltage required by the load device and output.

  The second effect is that charging optimal for the state of the battery 20 can be performed in consideration of the charging voltage, charging current, and temperature state of the battery 20. The reason is that the specifications and charging conditions of the battery 20 are set from the outside by user operation of the setting switch circuit of the panel circuit 9 or data reception from an external communication terminal or the like via the power input / output units 11 and 12. Under the control of the battery adapter control circuit 7, the deterioration status of the battery 20 can be estimated from the observation results of the voltage, current, and temperature data during charging and discharging, and according to the deterioration status of the battery 20. This is because charging can be performed.

  The third effect is that when a plurality of batteries or batteries are connected and used, they can be used without being aware of the type, deterioration state, or charge state of the battery 20 or battery. The reason is that the voltage and power required by the load device that supplies power, the characteristics of the connected battery 20 or the battery are set and registered in advance, or a communication terminal capable of power line communication or the battery adapter according to the present invention. 100, 101,... Are connected to the power input / output units 11, 12, that is, the power lines 201, 202, so that information on the load devices connected to the power lines 201, 202 and each battery adapter 100, This is because it is possible to grasp the information of the battery 20 or the battery mounted on 101,... And control to output all the electric power held by each battery 20 or each battery.

  The configuration of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, it should be noted that such embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and do not limit the present invention in any way. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that various modifications and changes can be made according to a specific application without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Battery connection terminal 2 Battery connection terminal 3 Battery charging circuit 4 Current voltage sensor 5 Temperature sensor 6 DC / DC converter 7 Battery adapter control circuit 8 Battery specification data part 9 Panel circuit 10 Power line communication circuit 11 Power input / output part 12 Power input / output Part 20 Battery 100 Battery adapter 101 Other battery adapter 110 Outer box 120 Dry cell 130 Light bulb 140 Electric drill 201 Power line 202 Power line

Claims (10)

  A battery adapter including a battery or a battery and a DC / DC converter for adjusting a charging voltage for the battery or an output voltage from the battery or the battery, the type of the battery or the battery, the output condition, and the charging condition being At least battery specification setting information including battery specification data section for setting and registering in advance based on data from an external communication terminal transmitted through a power line or operation of a setting switch circuit of a panel circuit operated by a user, When supplying the output of the DC / DC converter to the load device via the power line, at least one of the power supply condition of the load device acquired via the power line and the temperature, voltage, or current of the battery or battery Or a plurality of measurement results and the battery set and registered in the battery specification data section. Re-specification setting information, and the DC / DC converter converts the output of the battery or the battery to any value suitable for the power supply condition of the load device and A battery adapter characterized by supplying power.   When charging the battery with a DC power supply voltage via the power line, at least one or more measurement results among the temperature, voltage, and current of the battery and the battery specification setting information set and registered in the battery specification data section 2. The battery adapter according to claim 1, wherein the battery is charged by converting the DC power supply voltage into one of the charging voltages calculated based on   Based on the battery specification setting information set and registered in the battery specification data section by acquiring any one or more of the temperature, output voltage, and output current of the battery or battery, the deterioration status of the battery or battery The battery adapter according to claim 1, wherein the battery life is estimated based on the deterioration state, and a user is notified of the estimated life time.   When using another battery or battery connected in parallel or in series via the power line, the data obtained about the specifications and charging state of the other battery or battery connected via the power line is obtained and acquired. Control the DC / DC converter based on the data related to the specifications and charging status of other batteries and batteries, the power supply conditions of the load device, and the battery specification setting information set and registered in the battery specification data section, 4. The battery adapter according to claim 1, wherein an output voltage of the battery or battery is converted into an output state identical to that of the other battery or battery and output to the load device. 5.   When a battery or another battery adapter having a battery mounted is connected in parallel or in series via the power line, communication is performed with an external communication terminal or the other battery adapter connected via the power line. In cooperation with the control of the other battery adapter, the DC / DC converter is controlled to convert the output voltage of the battery or the battery to the same output state as that of the other battery adapter to the load device. The battery adapter according to claim 1, wherein the battery adapter outputs the power to the battery adapter.   By acquiring any one or more of the temperature, output voltage, and output current of the battery or battery, all the power of the battery or battery is obtained based on the battery specification setting information set and registered in the battery specification data section. When it is recognized that discharging has ended and discharging has ended, the user is notified in advance, and a battery or other battery adapter in which a battery is mounted is connected in parallel or in series via the power line The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an external communication terminal connected via the power line or the other battery adapter is notified via the power line that the discharge is terminated. The battery adapter according to   A battery output control method in a battery adapter equipped with a DC / DC converter for mounting a battery or a battery and adjusting a charging voltage for the battery or an output voltage from the battery or battery, the type of battery or battery and output By pre-registering battery specification setting information including at least conditions and charging conditions based on data from an external communication terminal transmitted via a power line or operation of a setting switch circuit of a panel circuit operated by a user , When supplying the output of the DC / DC converter to the load device via the power line, the power supply condition of the load device acquired via the power line, and at least the temperature, voltage, or current of the battery or battery One or more measurement results and the battery set and registered in advance The DC / DC converter converts the output of the battery or the battery to any value that matches the power supply condition of the load device, calculated based on the configuration information, and supplies power to the load device. A battery output control method comprising:   When charging the battery with a DC power supply voltage via the power line, based on at least one or more measurement results among the temperature, voltage, and current of the battery and the battery specification setting information set and registered in advance. The battery output control method according to claim 7, wherein the battery is charged by converting the DC power supply voltage to any of the calculated charging voltages.   When using another battery or battery connected in parallel or in series via the power line, the data obtained about the specifications and charging state of the other battery or battery connected via the power line is obtained and acquired. The DC / DC converter is controlled based on the data on the specifications and charging status of other batteries and batteries, the power supply conditions of the load device, and the battery specification setting information set and registered in advance. 9. The battery output control method according to claim 7, wherein an output voltage is converted to the same output state as that of the other battery or battery and output to the load device.   10. A battery output control program, wherein the battery output control method according to claim 7 is implemented as a program executable by a computer.

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