JP2012221881A - Group battery unit for deep-sea, method and program of equalizing voltage value of cell - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maintain optimum charged state of a group battery by equalizing the voltage value of each cell in the group battery encapsulated in a pressure equalizing chamber while encapsulating the group battery in the pressure equalizing chamber.SOLUTION: Each group battery 21-24 has a voltage/temperature measuring section 61, balance circuits 51-58, and a communication control section 62. A group battery control section receives measurement results transmitted from individual communication control sections 25, and based on the measurement results, transmits a discharge execution instruction to the communication control section 62 of each individual group battery 21-24 so that the voltage values of cells 40-47 in the individual group batteries 21-24 are equalized in all group batteries 21-24.

Description

  The present invention relates to a deep-battery group battery unit, a method for equalizing voltage values of cells, and a program.

  A deep-sea probe that navigates the deep sea (for example, a depth of 200 m or more) is equipped with a secondary battery that can be used repeatedly by charging, and uses an electric motor that is supplied with power from the secondary battery. Sail. In such a deep sea probe, a lithium ion battery having a larger capacity ratio with respect to weight than a lead storage battery is used as a secondary battery (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, although the capacity | capacitance ratio of a lead storage battery is small compared with a lithium ion battery, it does not become much a problem regarding the variation in the voltage value for every cell.

  The voltage of a single secondary battery (hereinafter referred to as a cell) is about 3.6 V (volts) for a lithium ion battery, for example. For this reason, it is generally used as an assembled battery in which a plurality of cells are connected in series. For example, an assembled battery of 8 cells is 28.8V. Furthermore, an assembled battery is connected and used in series as needed. For example, if the electric motor requires a voltage of 100V or more, four assembled cells of 8 cells are connected in series to obtain 115.2V. In the present specification, the “group battery” means a battery having a battery unit including the above-described assembled battery and a voltage monitoring board for monitoring or controlling the battery unit.

JP 2010-153117 A

  As described above, the assembled battery has a plurality of cells connected in series. For this reason, due to the difference in charge / discharge characteristics of individual cells, a difference (variation) occurs in the voltage value of each cell as charge / discharge is repeated. If charging / discharging is further repeated with this state left unattended, the variation in the voltage value of each cell becomes larger, and eventually, charging / discharging becomes impossible.

  In order to avoid such a situation, it is necessary to equalize the voltage value of each cell by periodically measuring the voltage value of each cell and discharging a cell having a high voltage value.

  The assembled battery of the deep sea spacecraft is sealed in a pressure equalizing vessel filled with a non-conductive liquid (for example, liquid paraffin) in order to withstand a large water pressure (increase by 1 atm every 10 m depth). Therefore, the assembled battery is taken out from the pressure equalizing vessel, disassembled for each cell, the voltage value is measured individually, and the cell is discharged as needed, and then the cell is assembled again into the assembled battery. It is necessary to charge the battery and seal it in the pressure equalizing vessel again, which requires very laborious work.

  The present invention was made under such a background, and the voltage of all the cells of the assembled battery in an operation state sealed in a pressure equalizing vessel, the temperature measurement of the assembled battery unit, etc. Monitoring is possible, so that the operation of the assembled battery can be maintained optimally, and the voltage value of each cell of the assembled battery enclosed in the pressure equalizing vessel is equalized. It is an object of the present invention to provide a deep-sea group battery unit that can be kept as it is, and to keep the state of charge of the assembled battery optimal, a method for equalizing voltage values of cells, and a program.

  One aspect of the present invention is a viewpoint as a deep sea group battery unit. The group battery unit for deep sea according to the present invention includes a group battery having a battery unit in which a plurality of secondary battery cells that can be repeatedly used by charging are connected in series, and a plurality of group batteries connected in series, which are non-conductive. In a deep sea group battery unit having a pressure equalizing vessel filled with a liquid, the group battery includes voltage measuring means for measuring the voltage of each cell constituting the battery unit, and each cell constituting the battery unit A discharge means for discharging the power, and a communication means for transmitting a measurement result of the voltage measurement means and receiving a discharge execution instruction to the discharge means, and receiving the measurement result transmitted from each communication means Then, based on the measurement result, discharge is performed on the communication means of each group battery so that the voltage values of the cells constituting the battery unit of each group battery are equal in all the group batteries. And it has a group battery control means for transmitting shown.

  At this time, the communication means of each group battery can be connected to the group battery control means by daisy chain connection.

  Furthermore, it has temperature measurement means for measuring the temperature of the battery unit, and the group battery control means can stop discharging or charging of the group battery when the measurement result of the temperature measurement means exceeds a predetermined value.

  Moreover, it can also have a current measurement means which measures the electric current of a battery part.

  Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for equalizing cell voltage values. The method of equalizing the voltage values of the cells of the present invention includes a group battery having a battery unit in which a plurality of secondary battery cells that can be repeatedly used by charging are connected in series, and a plurality of group batteries are further connected in series. A voltage equalizing vessel filled with a non-conductive liquid, and a method of equalizing cell voltage values in a group battery unit for deep sea, wherein the voltage measuring means of the group battery is configured for each of the cells constituting the battery unit. The step of measuring the voltage is executed, and the discharging means of the group battery executes the step of discharging the power for each of the cells constituting the battery unit, and the communication means of the group battery displays the measurement result of the voltage measuring means. And the step of receiving a discharge execution instruction to the discharge means is executed, and the group battery control means of the deep sea group battery unit receives the measurement results transmitted from the individual communication means. And, based on the measurement result, a step of transmitting a discharge execution instruction to the communication means of each group battery so that the voltage values of the cells constituting the battery unit of each group battery are equal in all the group batteries Is to execute.

  Still another aspect of the present invention is a viewpoint as a program. The program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to realize the function of the group battery control means in the deep-sea group battery unit of the present invention. The computer receives the measurement results transmitted from the individual communication means. Based on the measurement result, the function of transmitting the discharge execution instruction to the communication means of each group battery is realized so that the voltage values of the cells constituting the battery unit of each group battery are equal in all the group batteries. Is.

  According to the present invention, it becomes possible to monitor the voltage of all cells and the temperature measurement of the battery portion of the group battery in the operation state sealed in the pressure equalizing vessel, and the operation of the group battery can be kept optimal. At the same time, the voltage value of each cell of the group battery enclosed in the pressure equalizing vessel is equalized while the group battery is still enclosed in the pressure equalizing vessel, so that the state of charge of the group battery can be kept optimal.

It is a figure showing the whole deep sea exploration system composition of an embodiment of the invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the deep sea probe of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the group battery unit of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the group battery of FIG. It is a figure which shows the discharge end voltage value and charge end voltage value of the battery which consists of 1 cell as a comparative example. It is a figure which shows the discharge end voltage value and charge end voltage value of a group battery which consists of 4 cells. It is a figure which shows the discharge end voltage value and charge end voltage value of the group battery which consists of 4 cells in which the voltage value of each cell varies and one cell is a charge end voltage value. It is a figure which shows the discharge end voltage value and charge end voltage value of the group battery which consists of 4 cells in which the voltage value of each cell varies and one cell is a discharge end voltage value. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the group battery control part of FIG. 3, and is a figure which shows the process of equalizing the voltage value of each cell. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the group battery control part of FIG. 3, and is a figure which shows a charging process. It is a figure which shows the structure of the group battery of other embodiment.

(Overview)
The deep-sea exploration system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a deep-sea exploration machine 1 and a mother ship 2 as shown in FIG. The deep sea probe 1 may be unmanned or manned. Further, it may be a self-contained navigation type or a remote control type.

  In the example of FIG. 1, a state in which the deep sea probe 1 and the mother ship 2 are communicating by wireless communication using ultrasonic waves is indicated by a bidirectional arrow, but the communication is wired using a cable. Communication may be used. The deep sea generally means a depth of 200 m or more. Further, the water pressure increases by 1 atm every time the depth increases by 10 m. For example, if the depth is 200 m, the water pressure is 21 atm.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the deep sea probe 1 supplies electric power from the battery group unit 10 to the electric motor 11 (solid line arrow), and the electric motor 11 rotates the propulsion device 12. The group battery unit 10 and the electric motor 11 are controlled by the control device 13 (one-dot chain line arrow). For example, the control device 13 monitors the SOC (State of Charge) of the group batteries 21 to 24 (FIG. 3) of the group battery unit 10 and adjusts the electric power supplied from the group battery unit 10 to the motor 11. Furthermore, the group battery unit 10 also supplies power to the lighting device 14 and the photographing device 15 (solid arrow), and the control device 13 controls the lighting device 14 and the photographing device 15 (one-dot chain arrow). The control device 13 communicates with the mother ship 2, transmits various information of the deep sea probe 1 to the mother ship 2 (upward white arrow), and receives control instructions from the mother ship 2 (downward) White arrow). For example, when the control device 13 notifies the mother ship 2 of the SOCs of the group batteries 21 to 24 of the group battery unit 10, the mother ship 2 can determine how long the exploration can continue.

  The group battery unit 10 is composed of, for example, a lithium ion battery and is charged after being pulled up to the mother ship 2. Prior to charging, the voltage value of each cell constituting the group battery is measured, and each cell When there is a difference in voltage value, cell individual discharge or the like is performed to equalize the voltage value of each cell.

(Configuration of group battery unit 10)
As shown in FIG. 3, the group battery unit 10 includes a pressure equalizing container 20, group batteries 21, 22, 23, 24 enclosed in the pressure equalizing container 20, and a group battery control unit (a group battery referred to in the claims). Control means) 25, fuses 26 and 27, and underwater connectors 28 and 29.

  The pressure equalizing vessel 20 is filled with a non-conductive liquid (for example, liquid paraffin), and when water pressure is applied to the outside of the pressure equalizing vessel 20, the pressure of the liquid inside the pressure equalizing vessel 20 is external. Equal to pressure. As a result, seawater or the like can be prevented from entering the pressure equalizing vessel 20 from the outside of the pressure equalizing vessel 20. In this way, the pressure equalizing vessel 20 has the internal liquid pressure equal to the pressure of the external seawater, so that the group batteries 21, 22, 23, 24, the group battery control unit 25, The fuses 26 and 27 and the like are configured using a member that can withstand high voltage. For example, in a device such as a capacitor, an electrolytic capacitor having a space or a cavity inside the device cannot be used. Other devices having a space or a cavity inside are not used.

  The group batteries 21 to 24 have interface units (I / F units) 30, 31, and 32, a negative output terminal 33, and a positive output terminal 34, respectively. The group batteries 21 to 24 are connected in series, supply power to a load such as the electric motor 11 via the fuses 26 and 27 and the underwater connector 28, and are connected to a power source for charging via the underwater connector 28 to be charged. Is implemented. On the other hand, the interface units 30, 31, and 32 of the group batteries 21 to 24 are connected to the group battery control unit 25 by daisy chain connection.

  The group battery control unit 25 is connected to the interface unit 32 of the group battery 21 of the group batteries 21 to 24 connected in a daisy chain, and is connected to an upper management device such as the control device 13 via the underwater connector 29. . The group battery control unit 25 collects information on the voltages and temperatures of the group batteries 21 to 24 and transmits this information to a higher-level management device such as the control device 13 while the deep-sea probe 1 is navigating in the sea. In addition, when the deep sea spacecraft 1 is pulled up to the mother ship 2 and the group batteries 21 to 24 are charged, the group battery control unit 25 equalizes voltage values of cells 40 to 47, which will be described later, before charging. After that, the group batteries 21 to 24 are charged.

  The group battery control unit 25 is a computer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a microprocessor (microcomputer), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and the like. A function as the group battery control unit 25 is realized in the computer by executing a program that includes a processing unit, a memory, an I / O (Input / Output) port, and the like.

  The underwater connector 28 is connected to a load (such as the electric motor 11, the lighting device 14, or the imaging device 15) when the group batteries 21 to 24 are discharged (the deep sea probe 1 is navigating in the sea), and the group batteries 21 to 21 are connected. When charging 24 (when the deep-sea probe 1 is pulled up by the mother ship 2), a charging power source is connected.

  The underwater connector 29 is used when connecting the group battery control unit 25 to a control device 13 that is a higher level management device or a higher level management device (not shown) that gives an instruction to the group battery control unit 25.

(Regarding the configuration of the group batteries 21 to 24)
As shown in FIG. 4, each of the group batteries 21, 22, 23, 24 includes a battery unit 35 and a voltage monitoring board 36. The battery unit 35 includes a negative output terminal 33, a positive output terminal 34, cells 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, a temperature sensor (of the temperature measuring means in the claims). 48) and 49). The voltage monitoring board 36 includes an interface unit (I / F unit) (part of communication means in claims) 30, 31, 32, and a serial / parallel conversion unit (S / P conversion unit) (communication in claims). (A part of the means) 50, a balance circuit (discharge means in the claims) 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, and a battery stack monitor 59. Further, the battery stack monitor 59 includes a switching unit 60, a voltage / temperature measuring unit (voltage measuring unit, temperature measuring unit) 61, a communication control unit (part of the communication unit) 62, and It is comprised.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the interface unit 30 is an interface that is daisy chain connected to the upper side when the group battery control unit 25 is at the highest level. The interface unit 31 is an interface that is daisy chain connected to the lower side when the group battery control unit 25 is at the highest level. The interface unit 32 is an interface that communicates with the group battery control unit 25. Specifically, the interface unit 32 terminates a signal such as voltage information or temperature information from the group batteries 21 to 24, converts the signal into a signal form that can be received by the group battery control unit 25, and sends it to the group battery control unit 25. Send. Alternatively, the interface unit 32 terminates a signal such as a control instruction from the group battery control unit 25 to the group batteries 21 to 24 and converts the signal into a signal form that can be received by the communication control unit 62 of the group batteries 21 to 24. It transmits to the batteries 21-24.

  The cells 40 to 47 of the battery unit 35 are, for example, lithium ion batteries with a maximum of 3.6 V per cell, and constitute an assembled battery in which eight lithium ion batteries are connected in series, with a voltage of 28.8 V at the maximum. Is output to the output terminals 33 and 34.

  The temperature sensors 48 and 49 of the battery unit 35 measure the temperature in order to grasp the temperature state of the battery unit 35. The temperature sensors 48 and 49 are configured by, for example, NTC (negative temperature coefficient) type thermistors.

  The balance circuits 51 to 58 of the voltage monitoring board 36 are connected in parallel to the cells 40 to 47, respectively, and discharge resistors (not shown) are connected inside, and the cells 40 to 47 and the resistors are connected and disconnected. Switching elements (transistors, field effect transistors, etc.) (not shown), and the cells 40 to 47 can be discharged individually according to switching control by the switching unit 60.

  The switching unit 60 of the battery stack monitor 59 in the voltage monitoring board 36 includes a switching element for performing connection / disconnection control of all members connected to the switching unit 60. Thereby, the switching unit 60 performs connection / disconnection control between the resistors in the balance circuits 51 to 58 and the cells 40 to 47 based on the control instruction signal transmitted via the communication control unit 62, and also the cell 40. To 47 and 47 and the temperature sensors 48 and 49 and the voltage / temperature measuring unit 61 are controlled.

  The voltage / temperature measuring unit 61 of the battery stack monitor 59 in the voltage monitoring board 36 measures the voltage value of the cells 40 to 47 when connected to any of the cells 40 to 47 by the switching unit 60. When the switching unit 60 is connected to the temperature sensors 48 and 49, the measurement result is acquired. The information on the voltage value and the temperature value is transmitted from the voltage / temperature measurement unit 61 to the communication control unit 62 and reaches the control device 13.

  The communication control unit 62 of the battery stack monitor 59 in the voltage monitoring board 36 transmits information transmitted from the voltage / temperature control unit 61 to the group battery control unit 25 via the interface units 30 to 32 and also performs group battery control. The control instruction signal from the unit 25 is received and transmitted to the switching unit 60.

  The serial / parallel conversion unit 50 in the voltage monitoring board 36 converts the parallel signal from the interface units 30 to 32 into a serial signal and outputs it to the communication control unit 62, and also converts the serial signal from the communication control unit 62 into a parallel signal. And output to the interface units 30-32.

(About operation)
The operation of the group battery unit 10 will be described mainly focusing on the operation of the group battery control unit 25. The operation of the group battery control unit 25 can be roughly divided into two cases. One of them is an operation when the deep sea probe 1 is navigating the sea. The other is an operation when charging the group batteries 21 to 24 after the deep sea spacecraft 1 is pulled up to the mother ship 2.

(Regarding the operation of the battery control unit 25 when the deep sea probe 1 is navigating underwater)
While the deep sea probe 1 is navigating underwater, the group battery control unit 25 collects information on the voltages and temperatures of the group batteries 21 to 24 of the group battery unit 10 and transmits the collected information to the control device 13. To do. Based on the information transmitted from the group battery control unit 25, the control device 13 controls the load (the electric motor 11, the lighting device 14, the photographing device 15, etc.) while considering the wear level of the group batteries 21 to 24. carry out. Alternatively, when the temperature of the battery unit 35 of the group batteries 21 to 24 is abnormally high or the voltage of the cells 40 to 47 constituting the group batteries 21 to 24 is abnormally low, the control device 13 It is possible to perform control such as emergency levitation of the deep-sea probe 1 after disconnecting the group battery unit 10 and the load and connecting the electric motor 11 to an emergency power supply device such as a standby power supply (not shown). .

(Regarding the operation of the battery control unit 25 when the deep-sea probe 1 is pulled up by the mother ship 2 and is charged)
Next, the operation of the group battery control unit 25 when the deep sea spacecraft 1 is pulled up by the mother ship 2 to perform charging will be described.

  Prior to this description, a description will be given of a decrease in power storage (battery) capacity due to a difference (variation) in the voltage value of each cell as charge / discharge is repeated due to a difference in charge / discharge characteristics of individual cells.

  The usable voltage range in the group batteries 21 to 24 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 illustrates a battery including one cell as a comparative example, and FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate a group battery including four cells. The usable voltage range of the battery is represented by the area of the hatched area in the figure. The usable voltage range indicated by the hatched area corresponds to the charge capacity of the cell.

  Lithium ion batteries are heavily damaged by overcharging and overdischarging, so the discharge end voltage value and the charge end voltage value are clearly defined. FIG. 5 shows a usable voltage range in a battery composed of one cell as a comparative example. About each cell which comprises the group batteries 21-24, as shown in FIG. 5, between a discharge end voltage value and a charge end voltage value becomes a usable voltage range.

  As shown in FIG. 6, even if a group battery is composed of a plurality of cells connected in series, as long as the voltage value of each cell is evenly charged, the usable voltage of the battery of one cell shown in FIG. The same voltage range as the range can be used. The usable voltage range shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is the maximum usable voltage range that can be taken by the cell or the group battery.

  On the other hand, when the voltage value of each cell varies, the battery is charged, and as shown in FIG. 7, when the voltage of one cell reaches the charge end voltage value, other cells cannot be charged. Also, when discharging is performed from this state of charge, as shown in FIG. 8, if one cell (the rightmost cell in the figure) reaches the end-of-discharge voltage value, the discharge from the entire battery group will not be stopped. To do. That is, it can be seen that the usable voltage range is narrower than the usable voltage range shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, thereby reducing the charge capacity.

  Thus, in the group batteries 21-24, it is requested | required that the voltage value of the cells 40-47 which comprise each group battery 21-24 is equal. Moreover, this can be considered similarly about the case where the group batteries 21-24 are connected in series. That is, in the group battery unit 10, the voltage values of the group batteries 21 to 24 are required to be equal. Therefore, in order to equalize the voltage values of the cells 40 to 47 and further equalize the voltage values of the group batteries 21 to 24, the group battery control unit 25 sets the voltage values of the cells 40 to 47 shown below. A step of equalizing is performed.

  The flowchart of FIG. 9 shows a step of equalizing the voltage values of the cells 40 to 47 performed before the charging is started after the deep sea probe 1 is pulled up to the mother ship 2.

  START: When instructed to start the process of equalizing the voltage values of the cells 40 to 47, the group battery control unit 25 proceeds to the procedure of step S1. In addition, as a method of instructing the group battery control unit 25 to start the step of equalizing the voltage values of the cells 40 to 47, for example, an operator terminal for giving an instruction to the group battery control unit 25 to the underwater connector 29, for example. Etc., and the operator gives an instruction to the group battery control unit 25 via the operator terminal.

  Step S1: The group battery control unit 25 transmits a control instruction to the switching unit 60 via the communication control unit 62 of the group batteries 21 to 24, and the voltage values of the individual cells 40 to 47 are sent to the voltage / temperature measurement unit 61. To measure. Specifically, the switching unit 60 sequentially connects the voltage / temperature measurement unit 61 to the cells 40 to 47 and causes the voltage / temperature measurement unit 61 to measure the voltage values of the individual cells 40 to 47. This measurement result is transmitted from the voltage / temperature measurement unit 61 to the group battery control unit 25 via the communication control unit 62. When the group battery control unit 25 completes the measurement of the voltage values of the individual cells 40 to 47 of the group batteries 21 to 24, the procedure proceeds to step S2.

  Step S2: The group battery control unit 25 determines whether or not the measured voltage values of the cells 40 to 47 of the group batteries 21 to 24 are varied. Here, if it is determined that there is variation, the procedure proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no variation, the process ends (END).

  Step S3: The group battery control unit 25 specifies a cell having the minimum voltage value (this is referred to as a cell min) among all the cells 40 to 47 of the group batteries 21 to 24, and the procedure proceeds to Step S4.

  Step S4: The group battery control unit 25 starts discharging the cells 40 to 47 of the group batteries 21 to 24 other than the cell min. That is, the group battery control unit 25 transmits an instruction to the switching unit 60 via the communication control unit 62, and the cells 40 to 47 of the group batteries 21 to 24 other than the cell min are resistances in the balance circuits 51 to 58. The connection relationship between the cells 40 to 47 and the balance circuits 51 to 58 is controlled so that a current can flow through the device, and the process proceeds to step S5.

  Specifically, for example, when it is desired to discharge only the cell 40, the group battery control unit 25 sets the switching unit 60 and the resistor 60 in the balance circuit 51 so that the resistor in the balance circuit 51 is connected in parallel to the cell 40. The switching element in the balance circuit 51 is controlled. Thereby, the current of the cell 40 flows into the balance circuit 51, and the cell 40 starts discharging. For example, when it is desired to discharge two of the cells 40 and 41, the group battery control unit 25 sets the resistors in the balance circuits 51 and 52 in series and further connects them in series. The switching elements 60 and the switching elements in the balance circuits 51 and 52 are arranged so that the series-connected resistors in the balance circuits 51 and 52 are connected in parallel to the cells 40 and 41 that are connected. Control. Thereby, the current from the cells 40 and 41 flows into the resistors in the balance circuits 51 and 52, and the cells 40 and 41 start to discharge. In this way, the discharge of the other cells 40 to 47 is similarly controlled. Moreover, discharge is complete | finished about the cells 40-47 whose voltage value became the same as the cell min.

  Step S5: The group battery control unit 25 measures the voltage values of the respective cells 40 to 47 of the group batteries 21 to 24 in parallel with the procedure described in Step S1 in parallel with the procedure of Step S4, and the group battery 21 It is determined whether the voltage values of all the cells 40 to 47 of ˜24 are equalized. Here, when it is determined that the voltage values of all the cells 40 to 47 of the group batteries 21 to 24 are equalized, the process ends (END). On the other hand, if it is determined that the voltage values of any of the cells 40 to 47 of the group batteries 21 to 24 are not equalized, the procedure returns to step S1.

  In this manner, when the step of equalizing the voltage values of all the cells 40 to 47 of the group batteries 21 to 24 shown in FIG. 9 is completed, the charging step is started for the group battery unit 10. The flowchart of FIG. 10 shows the charging process after the process of equalizing the voltage values of the cells 40 to 47 is completed.

  START: When a charging power source is connected to the underwater connector 28 of the group battery unit 10 and the group battery control unit 25 is instructed to start the charging process, the process proceeds to step S6. Note that the method of instructing the group battery control unit 25 is performed by an operator via an operator terminal connected to the underwater connector 29, as described with reference to FIG. Alternatively, a configuration in which the group battery control unit 25 can autonomously detect that the charging power source is connected to the underwater connector 28 is added, and the group battery control unit 25 connects the charging power source to the underwater connector 28. If this is detected, the process may automatically proceed to step S6.

  Step S6: When charging is started, the group battery control unit 25 transmits a control instruction to each switching unit 60 of the group batteries 21 to 24, and connects the temperature sensors 48 and 49 and the voltage / temperature measurement unit 61. Thus, the temperature of the battery unit 35 is measured.

  Step S7: The group battery control unit 25 determines whether or not the temperature of each battery unit 35 of the group batteries 21 to 24 is normal. Here, if it is determined that the temperature of the battery unit 35 is normal, the procedure proceeds to step S8. On the other hand, if it is determined that the temperature of the battery unit 35 is not normal (that is, abnormal), the process proceeds to step S9.

  Step S8: The group battery control unit 25 measures the voltage value of each of the cells 40 to 47 of the group batteries 21 to 24, and the voltage value of any of the cells 40 to 47 of the group batteries 21 to 24 terminates charging. It is determined whether or not the voltage value has been reached. Here, when it is determined that the voltage value of any of the cells 40 to 47 of the group batteries 21 to 24 has reached the end-of-charge voltage value, the charging process is terminated (END). On the other hand, if it is determined that any voltage value of each of the cells 40 to 47 of the group batteries 21 to 24 has not yet reached the charge end voltage value, the procedure returns to step S7.

  The group battery control unit 25 ends the charging process when it is determined that the voltage value of any of the cells 40 to 47 of the group batteries 21 to 24 has reached the end-of-charge voltage value. Since the process of equalizing the voltage values of the cells 40 to 47 has been performed in advance, the charge end voltage values of the cells 40 to 47 of the group batteries 21 to 24 are substantially the same. Therefore, the group battery control unit 25 ends the charging process when it is determined that the voltage value of any of the cells 40 to 47 of the group batteries 21 to 24 has reached the end-of-charge voltage value. Can complete the charging process when reaching almost the same end-of-charge voltage value in each of the cells 40 to 47 of almost all the group batteries 21 to 24.

  Step S9: The group battery control unit 25 stops charging and ends the process (END).

(About effect)
Thus, according to the group battery control unit 25, the voltage values of the cells 40 to 47 of the group batteries 21 to 24 without taking out the group batteries 21 to 24 enclosed in the pressure equalization container 20 from the pressure equalization container 20. The charge state of the group batteries 21 to 24 can be kept optimal. Thereby, when it is determined that the voltage value of any of the cells 40 to 47 of the group batteries 21 to 24 has reached the charge end voltage value, the group battery control unit 25 ends the charging process. In the cells 40 to 47 of almost all of the group batteries 21 to 24, the charging process can be terminated when reaching almost the same end-of-charge voltage value. Therefore, as explained in FIG. 6, the group battery unit 10 can ensure the maximum capacity.

  In addition, since the interface units 30 to 32 of the group batteries 21 to 24 are connected to the group battery control unit 25 by daisy chain connection, the number of control signal lines from the pressure equalizing vessel 20 to the outside can be reduced. This is the same even when the number of group batteries further increases. Thus, reducing the number of control signal lines from the pressure equalizing vessel 20 to the outside is extremely useful in the pressure equalizing vessel 20 used under an ultrahigh pressure. For example, in the underwater connectors 28 and 29, a strict pressure-proof seal is applied to a mounting portion of a contact (pin) connected to an external cable. In the underwater connectors 28 and 29, the reduction in the number of contacts that need to be subjected to such a strict pressure-proof seal is extremely useful in terms of performance and cost.

  Moreover, it has the temperature sensors 48 and 49 which measure the temperature of the battery part 35, and the group battery control part 25, when the measurement result of the voltage / temperature measurement part 61 exceeds a predetermined value, the group batteries 21 to 24 Since discharging or charging is stopped, it is possible to avoid a serious situation with high accuracy when the cells 40 to 47 are abnormal.

  According to the deep sea exploration device 1 having such a group battery unit 10, the group batteries 21 to 24 can be safely used with high efficiency for a long time, and the efficiency of deep sea exploration can be improved.

(Other embodiments)
The embodiment of the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the temperature sensors 48 and 49 may be omitted, and the voltage / temperature measurement unit 61 may measure only the voltage value. According to this, the abnormality of the battery unit 35 cannot be detected by the temperature, but the abnormality can be detected only by voltage monitoring. Further, the temperature sensors 48 and 49 are omitted, and the voltage / temperature measurement unit 61 can perform the voltage value equalization process of the cells 40 to 47 even if only the voltage value can be measured.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a current sensor (a part of the current measuring means in the claims) 70 is provided, and the current flowing through the battery group unit 10A is measured, whereby the group battery control unit (referred to in the claims). This is useful because the consumption capacity (Ah) can be calculated from the voltage value, current value and time in a part of the current measuring means and the group battery control means) 25A, or its upper management device. Note that the SOC can be measured by using only the voltage value by obtaining the relationship between the voltage value and the SOC in advance by simulation.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Deep-sea probe, 2 ... Mother ship, 10 ... Group battery unit, 20 ... Pressure equalization container, 21-24 ... Group battery, 25 ... Group battery control part (group battery control means), 25A ... Group battery control part (Current) Part of measurement means, group battery control means) 30, 31, 32 ... interface part (part of communication means), 40-47 ... cell, 48, 49 ... temperature sensor (part of temperature measurement means), 50 ... Serial / parallel converter (part of communication means), 51-58 ... balance circuit (discharge means), 61 ... voltage / temperature measurement part (voltage measurement means, temperature measurement means), 61A ... voltage / current / temperature measurement part (Part of current measuring means), 62 ... communication control unit (part of communication means), 70 ... current sensor (part of current measuring means)

Claims (6)

A group battery having a battery unit in which a plurality of secondary battery cells that can be repeatedly used by charging are connected in series; and a pressure equalizing container in which the group battery is further connected in series and filled with a non-conductive liquid; In a deep sea group battery unit having
The group battery is
Voltage measuring means for measuring the voltage of each of the cells constituting the battery unit;
Discharging means for discharging the power of each of the cells constituting the battery unit;
A communication means for transmitting a measurement result of the voltage measuring means and receiving a discharge execution instruction to the discharge means;
Have
The measurement results transmitted from the individual communication means are received, and based on the measurement results, the voltage values of the cells constituting the battery unit of each of the group batteries are equalized in all the group batteries. As described above, it has a group battery control means for transmitting the discharge execution instruction to the communication means of each of the group batteries,
A deep-battery group battery unit. The deep-sea group battery unit according to claim 1,
The communication means of each of the group batteries is connected to the group battery control means by daisy chain connection.
A deep-battery group battery unit. The deep sea group battery unit according to claim 1 or 2,
Temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the battery unit;
When the measurement result of the temperature measurement unit exceeds a predetermined value, the group battery control unit notifies the upper management device of the discharge or charge of the group battery and stops it.
A deep-battery group battery unit. A group battery unit for deep sea according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Having current measuring means for measuring a load discharge current and a charging current of the battery unit;
A deep-battery group battery unit. A group battery having a battery unit in which a plurality of secondary battery cells that can be repeatedly used by charging are connected in series; and a pressure equalizing container in which the group battery is further connected in series and filled with a non-conductive liquid; In the method of equalizing the voltage value of the cell in the deep-sea group battery unit having,
The voltage measuring means of the group battery performs a step of measuring the voltage of each of the cells constituting the battery unit,
The group battery discharging means performs a step of discharging the power of each of the cells constituting the battery unit,
The group battery communication means transmits the measurement result of the voltage measurement means and receives a discharge execution instruction to the discharge means,
The group battery control means of the deep-battery group battery unit receives the measurement result transmitted from each of the communication means, and based on the measurement result, the cell constituting the battery unit of each of the group batteries Performing the step of transmitting the discharge execution instruction to the communication means of each of the group batteries so that the voltage value of
A method for equalizing voltage values of the cells. A program for causing a computer to realize the function of the group battery control means in the deep-sea group battery unit according to claim 1,
The computer receives the measurement result transmitted from each of the communication means, and based on the measurement result, the voltage values of the cells constituting the battery unit of each of the group batteries are the same in all the group batteries. Realizing a function of transmitting the discharge execution instruction to the communication means of each of the group batteries so as to be even.
A program characterized by that.

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