JP2013076570A - Clip and battery tester - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clip capable of easily and accurately measuring the temperature of a battery.SOLUTION: A clip 30 includes: two clip pieces 31; metal pieces 32 each of which is provided on the tip part of each of the two clip pieces 31 for abutting on a positive external terminal of a battery; a connection member 34 for connecting the two clip pieces 31; a spring for energizing the tips of the metal pieces 32 each of which is provided on the tip part of each of the two clip pieces 31 so that they contact each other; and a temperature sensor fixed on one of the metal pieces 32 each of which is provided on the tip part of each of the two clip pieces 31. The external terminal and the metal pieces can be easily connected by sandwiching the external terminal between the two clip pieces 31, and the temperature sensor is fixed on one of the metal pieces 32 each of which is provided on the tip part of each of the two clip pieces 31. And so, the temperature of the positive eternal terminal inserted into the inside of the battery can be measured as the temperature of the battery.

Description

  The present invention relates to a clip and a battery tester, and more particularly to a clip for securing an electrical connection with an external terminal sandwiching an external terminal standing on a battery and a battery tester including the clip.

  Batteries are used in equipment such as UPS, emergency lights, emergency broadcasting equipment, telephone exchanges, communication equipment base stations, etc. that are supposed to be backed up in an emergency, automobiles, and electric vehicles. These devices cannot function due to deterioration or discharge of the battery. In order to avoid this, there is a battery inspection device that confirms whether the performance of the battery is degraded. Since the battery inspection device has a large effect on the accuracy depending on the temperature, the temperature of the battery is measured by a temperature sensor, the parameter value of the battery is obtained from the other measured voltage value and current value, and the parameter value is set to a predetermined temperature (for example, room temperature). ) Is converted to temperature. As such a battery inspection device, for example, a battery monitoring device having no battery discharging function and a battery tester having a battery discharging function are known.

  The battery monitoring device is generally used together with a battery, and is often arranged on, for example, an upper lid of the battery. For this reason, it connects directly to the positive / negative external terminal of a battery, and connection members, such as a clip, are unnecessary. Moreover, the temperature sensor which measures the temperature of a battery is also employ | adopted as the structure which can be accommodated in the battery case of a battery, or can adhere (for example, refer patent document 1).

  On the other hand, a battery tester can test various batteries designed for different applications. Unlike a battery monitoring device used with a battery, a battery test (test) is performed separately from the battery. Connected to the battery when needed. For this reason, the battery tester is generally connected to a positive external terminal and a negative external terminal that are erected on the battery via a clip (between the clips). The temperature of the battery is measured, for example, by fixing a temperature sensor to the wall surface of the battery case of the battery via an adhesive tape or the like. Some testers handle the temperature measured by the temperature sensor in the tester body as the battery temperature without measuring the temperature of the battery.

  The battery tester discharges the battery in pulses and displays the internal resistance and conductivity (reciprocal of the internal resistance) obtained from the voltage and current at that time, or displays the value converted into cold cranking amperage (CCA). . The battery tester can also detect the state of charge (SOC) of the battery, and estimates and displays it from the battery voltage in a state where no current is flowing or in a state where only current is flowing. .

  The health level (SOH) and capacity of a deteriorated battery can be obtained by measuring parameters of the equivalent circuit by curve fitting to frequency dispersion data of complex impedance. However, since the applied waveform is a sine wave, the device High cost and uncommon.

  A general battery tester is based on a constant resistance discharge, and is roughly divided into a battery that discharges a battery for about 5 seconds with a large current of 100 A and a battery that discharges for 1 ms to 10 ms at 1 A to 100 A. The former simulates the current at the time of engine start and is valid as a test method for the engine start battery. Since the latter has a sufficiently short single pulse time width, it is common to discharge a plurality of times, and a plurality of obtained data are used for accuracy improvement processing such as averaging processing. The latter is generally small and has become popular in recent years.

  In addition, as a clip which can measure temperature as a clip other than a battery test | inspection apparatus use, the thing of patent documents 2-4 is known, for example.

JP 2006-010601 A (paragraph “0017”) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-062014 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-153495 Japanese Utility Model Publication 8-8432

  However, when the temperature sensor is fixed to the wall surface of the battery case in the battery tester and measured, the measurement temperature varies depending on the fixing position and fixing method, and it takes time and effort to fix the temperature sensor to the battery. In particular, since the battery tester inspects various batteries designed for different applications, it is troublesome to fix the temperature sensor to the battery.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a clip that can easily and accurately measure the temperature of a battery and a battery tester including the clip.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a first aspect of the present invention is a clip for securing an electrical connection with the external terminal across an external terminal erected on a battery. , Provided at the tip of each of the two clip pieces, provided at the tip of each of the two clip pieces, a metal piece contacting the external terminal, a connecting member for connecting the two clip pieces, A spring that urges the metal pieces to be in contact with each other or close to each other, and a temperature sensor disposed inside one of the two clip pieces.

  In the first aspect, the temperature sensor may be mounted on a flexible substrate, and the flexible substrate may be fixed to either one of the metal pieces provided at the respective tip portions of the two clip pieces. . At this time, it is preferable that the flexible substrate is fixed to a position opposite to the tip of one of the metal pieces provided at the tip of each of the two clip pieces. Further, the metal piece provided at the tip of each of the two clip pieces has a saw-like portion that can contact the external terminal, and the saw-like portion protrudes from each of the two clip pieces. desirable. Furthermore, the temperature sensor may be a thermistor. In addition, the metal piece may be screwed or inserted at the tip of each of the two clip pieces. Of course, the temperature sensor may not be fixed to the metal piece, but may be directly fixed inside one of the two clip pieces, or may be arranged without being fixed.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the second aspect of the present invention includes a pair of electrodes for securing an electrical connection with the external terminals by sandwiching a positive external terminal and a negative external terminal installed on the battery. In the battery tester provided with the clip, the clip of the first aspect is used for at least one of the pair of clips.

  2nd aspect WHEREIN: The temperature sensor may be distribute | arranged to the clip for ensuring electrical connection with a positive electrode external terminal among a pair of clips. In this case, the temperature sensor is mounted on the flexible substrate, and the flexible substrate is a metal piece provided at each of the two clip pieces constituting the clip for ensuring electrical connection with the positive external terminal. The temperature sensor output line may be led out to either one of the two clip pieces or directly inside one of the two clip pieces. At this time, a connection line connected to the tester main body from either one of the metal pieces provided at the respective distal end portions of the two clip pieces constituting the clip for ensuring electrical connection with the positive external terminal The connection line and the output line of the temperature sensor derived through the flexible substrate may be led out to the tester body as a single line having the same covered tube.

  According to the present invention, the external terminal and the metal piece can be easily connected by sandwiching the external terminal between the two clip pieces, and the clip portion that contacts the hand is made of resin and has low thermal conductivity. The temperature of the sensor is unlikely to affect the temperature sensor, and since the temperature sensor is placed inside one of the two clip pieces, it is made of metal and has high thermal conductivity and is inserted to the inside of the battery. The effect that the temperature of the terminal can be accurately measured as the temperature of the battery can be obtained.

It is a top view of the battery tester of embodiment which can apply this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of the clip of the battery tester of embodiment connected to the positive electrode external terminal of a test object battery. It is a block circuit diagram of the battery tester of the embodiment. It is a flowchart of the battery state estimation routine which CPU of the microprocessor of the battery tester of the embodiment executes. It is explanatory drawing which shows the application waveform of the electric current which supplies with electricity to a battery. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a determination map for a normal automobile battery that represents a relationship among an open circuit voltage (OCV), a cold cranking amperage (CCA), and a battery state, which is stored in the ROM of the microprocessor of the battery tester of the embodiment. is there. Judgment of battery for ISS vehicle and charge control vehicle representing relationship between open circuit voltage (OCV), cold cranking ampere (CCA), and battery state stored in ROM of microprocessor of battery tester of embodiment It is explanatory drawing of a map. It is explanatory drawing of the relationship map showing the relationship between the open circuit voltage of a battery and a charge state stored in ROM of the microprocessor of the battery tester of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the relationship map showing the relationship between the internal resistance of a battery and the health degree stored in ROM of the microprocessor of the battery tester of embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a battery tester capable of estimating the states of a plurality of types of batteries for automobiles with reference to the drawings will be described.

(Appearance configuration)
As shown in FIG. 1, the battery tester 1 of this embodiment includes a pair of rectangular tester main body 20 and a pair of positive and negative external terminals that are derived from the tester main body and are to be tested (inspected). A positive clip 30 and a negative clip 40 are provided.

  In front of the tester body 20, in order from the top, a mini-printer 8 that prints the state estimation result of the test target battery (see also reference numeral 10 in FIG. 3) by the battery tester 1, and the state of the test target battery An input operation unit 6 for selecting information for specifying the type of the battery to be tested from a screen displayed on the LCD 7 having a display unit 12, a liquid crystal display (LCD) 7, and five push keys. It is arranged. A USB terminal 11 is arranged on the side surface (right side in FIG. 1) of the tester body 20 corresponding to the mini printer 8 from the lower part to the display unit 12.

  The mini printer 8 incorporates a replaceable hoop-like printing paper, and has a function of discharging the printed paper portion to the outside (the front side in FIG. 1). The printing paper is built in the mini printer 8 through an opening / closing lid. The mini printer 8 also has a jagged cutter for cutting out the edge of the discharged printed paper portion.

  The display unit 12 has a green LED for displaying that the test target battery is in a good state, a yellow LED for displaying that the test target battery is in a required charge state, and the test target battery is in a replacement required state. It has a red LED to indicate this. These LEDs have a resistor and a switch element such as a transistor, and are lit by electric power supplied from an operating unit (a part of the display unit 12) disposed inside the tester body 20.

  The LCD 7 displays a screen for allowing an operator (user) to select information for specifying the type of the test target battery in accordance with an instruction from the microprocessor (see reference numeral 2 in FIG. 3).

  The input operation unit 6 has an upper scroll key (△), a lower scroll key (▽), a menu key, and a return key arranged in an annular shape around a circular enter key. It has a shape. The enter key is pressed when the operator determines a selection item on the screen displayed on the LCD 7, the up / down scroll key is pressed when the selection item on the screen displayed on the LCD 7 is scrolled up / down, and the menu key is displayed on the LCD 7. Is pressed when the menu screen is displayed, and the return key is pressed when returning to the previous screen of the screen displayed on the LCD 7.

  The USB terminal 11 is used for connection with a USB memory or a USB cable. From a personal computer (PC) connected via the USB memory or the USB cable (from the outside), instead of input by the input operation unit 6 ( Alternatively, it is used to acquire information for specifying the type of the test target battery (with input from the input operation unit 6).

  The battery tester 1 includes a positive electrode external terminal and a negative electrode external terminal erected on a test target battery (hereinafter simply referred to as a battery), with the positive electrode external terminal sandwiched between the positive electrode external terminal and a positive electrode for ensuring electrical connection with the positive electrode external terminal. The clip 30 and the negative external terminal are sandwiched and connected via a negative clip 40 for securing electrical connection with the negative external terminal.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the positive clip 30 is provided with two clip pieces 31 made of resin (for example, polycarbonate) and the positive external terminals provided at the leading ends of the two clip pieces 31 and standing on the battery. A metal piece 32 abutting on the pin, a pin-like connecting member 34 connecting the two clip pieces 31, and a spring (not shown) arranged around the connecting member 34 and energizing the tips of the metal pieces 32 in contact with each other. And have.

  The two clip pieces 31 have a curved shape as a whole, and a round hole is formed at a substantially central portion thereof. In the connecting member 34, two clip pieces 31 are rotatably inserted into the round holes. A screw hole is formed at the tip of the clip piece 31, and the metal piece 32 is fixed to the inside of the tip of the clip piece 31 (surface side facing the other clip piece) by screw fastening with a screw 35. At the end opposite to the tip of the clip piece 31, the operator (user) separates the tips of the two metal pieces 32 against the biasing force of a spring (not shown) (to open the positive clip 30. In addition, a grip portion 38 having a flat surface is formed. The operator can separate the tips of the two metal pieces 32 by pressing each of them with a finger or the like so that the upper and lower grips 38 are close to each other. FIG. 2 shows this state (a state where the operator opens the positive clip 30). When connecting to the positive external terminal of the battery, from this state, the positive clip 30 is held by the biasing force of a spring (not shown) by sandwiching the positive external terminal of the battery with the metal piece 32 and releasing the pressing force to the grip portion 38. Can secure the connection with the positive external terminal of the battery. As shown in FIG. 2, the two clip pieces 31 are slightly different from each other. However, since these differences are slight differences, description thereof is omitted.

  The metal piece 32 has its four sides bent so as to protrude inward from the clip piece 31. Of these four sides, the bent tip of the three sides excluding the side opposite to the tip (left side in FIG. 2) (the gripping portion 38 side) It is formed in a saw shape. On the other hand, the bent tip on the side opposite to the tip is substantially straight.

  A flexible substrate 33 is fixed to a bent portion on the side opposite to the tip of the metal piece 32 fixed to one of the two clip pieces 31 (the lower clip piece in FIG. 2). . A temperature sensor (in this example, a thermistor, also see symbol TH in FIG. 3) is mounted (mounted) on the flexible substrate 33, and the temperature sensor is connected to the output line 36 via wiring printed on the flexible substrate 33. (Derived). The flexible substrate 33 is on the opposite side of the tip of the metal piece 32 so as not to conflict with the metal piece 32 fixed to the other clip piece (the upper clip piece in FIG. 2) of the two clip pieces 31. It has a size smaller than the protruding height of the bent portion of the side.

  Further, a connecting wire 37 connected to the tester body 20 is connected to the metal piece 32 fixed to one of the two clip pieces 31 by soldering. The output line 36 and the connection line 37 are fixed inside one clip piece so as not to float, and are led out to the tester body 20 as one connection cable 39 having the same covered tube. Note that the flexible substrate 33 (and the temperature sensor), the output line 36, the connection line 37, and the connection cable are not provided on the other clip piece of the two clip pieces 31.

  On the other hand, the negative clip 40 is configured in the same manner as the positive clip 30 described above, but is different from the positive clip 30 in that the flexible substrate 33 (and the temperature sensor) and the output line 36 are omitted. In addition, the positive clip 30 and the negative clip 40 are different in the color of a cover (not shown) covering the clip in order to prevent erroneous connection when connected to the positive external terminal and the negative external terminal of the battery. In this example, a red cover is used for the clip for connecting to the positive external terminal of the battery, and a black cover is used for the clip for connecting to the negative external terminal.

(Internal structure)
Next, the internal configuration of the battery tester 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 shows a state in which the battery tester 1 is connected to the positive and negative external terminals of the battery 10 via the positive and negative clips by the operator.

  The positive and negative clip includes a first energization circuit in which a first switch SW1 and a first resistor R1 are connected in series, and a second switch SW2 and a second resistor R2 in series. The two energization circuits are connected in parallel via the connection line 37 and the connection cable 39 described above. The first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 can be configured by switching elements such as FETs, for example.

  A voltage measuring circuit 3 that measures an open circuit voltage value (OCV) of the battery 10 is connected to the positive and negative clips. The voltage measurement circuit 3 further includes a voltage value (V1) across the first resistor R1 when the first switch SW1 is closed (when turned on) and a value when the second switch SW2 is closed. In order to measure the voltage value (V2) across the second resistor R2, it is also connected to both ends of the first resistor R1 and both ends of the second resistor R2. The voltage measurement circuit 3 includes a differential amplifier circuit that reduces the influence of impedance and the like, and an A / D converter that outputs a digital voltage value. The output side of the voltage measurement circuit 3 is connected to the microprocessor 2.

  In this example, the A / D converter that constitutes the voltage measuring circuit 3 is polarized as a value of 10 LSB or more at 2 A, even with the largest 245H52 type battery (nominal capacity: 176 Ah) of a 12 V monoblock battery for automobiles. A 20 V full-scale 16-bit A / D converter capable of measuring the above was used. The reason for using 10LSB or more as a standard is that, since an A / D converter usually includes an error of about 3LSB, in order to be a significant voltage measurement value, the measurement value needs to be sufficiently larger than 3LSB. . In this example, the A / D converter operates at a sampling rate of 10 μs.

  Further, the battery tester 1 sets the current value (I1) flowing through the first energization circuit (first resistor R1) and the second energization circuit (second resistor R2) through a current sensor such as the Hall element HS. A first current measurement circuit 41 and a second current measurement circuit 42 for measuring a flowing current value (I2) are provided, and the output sides of these current measurement circuits are connected to the microprocessor 2, respectively. The temperature sensor TH is connected to the temperature measurement circuit 5 via the output line 36 and the connection cable 39 described above, and the output side of the temperature measurement circuit 5 is connected to the microprocessor 2. Each of the first current measurement circuit 41, the second current measurement circuit 42, and the temperature measurement circuit 5 includes an A / D converter. In this example, the A / D converters of the first current measurement circuit 41 and the second current measurement circuit 42 operate at a sampling rate of 10 μs, similarly to the A / D converter of the voltage measurement circuit 3.

  The voltage across the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 is measured in this way because of the error caused by the resistance in the ON state of the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 formed of FETs or the like. In addition, the current flowing through these resistors is measured by separate current measuring circuits because the current values flowing through the two resistors are different by one digit as will be described later. This is because the error is reduced by measuring with the measurement circuit, and consequently, an ohmic resistance component and a charge transfer resistance component of the battery 10 to be described later are accurately measured.

  The first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are connected to the microprocessor 2 and are controlled to be turned on and off in accordance with a signal output from the microprocessor 2.

  Further, the above-described mini printer 8, display unit 12, LCD 7, input operation unit 6, and USB terminal 11 are connected to the microprocessor 2.

  The microprocessor 2 includes a CPU that functions as a central processing unit, a RAM that functions as a work area for the CPU, a CPU program, maps and formulas described later, and data such as resistance values of the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2. It includes a stored ROM.

  Here, the on-control time by the microprocessor 2 of the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 constituting the first and second energization circuits and the resistance values of the resistances of the first and second energization circuits will be described. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, the waveform which combined the pulse of 0.5ms30A and 0.5s2A was applied to the lead acid battery 80D26 for normal vehicles of JIS-D5301. The reason for selecting 30A and 2A will be described later. The resistance of an electrochemical cell is generally time-dependent, and frequency dispersion analysis of complex impedance is used for battery characteristic evaluation. The imaginary part-real part impedance response of 80D26 consists of a circular arc and a straight line extending to the right side of the arc, and the imaginary part takes a minimum value at 1 Hz, and the imaginary part becomes zero at 1 kHz. This corresponds to an electrochemical system equivalent circuit model called a generally known Randles equivalent circuit, and the resistance of the real part when the imaginary part on the high frequency side is zero is an ohmic resistance Rohm. The value of the real part at the frequency at which the imaginary part on the lower frequency side takes the minimum value is the sum of the ohmic resistance Rohm and the charge transfer resistance Ret.

  The ohmic resistance Rohm and the charge transfer resistance Ret can be expressed as Rohm = 1 kHz resistance, Ret = 1 Hz resistance-1 kHz resistance. When converted to a DC pulse, it can be expressed as Rohm = pulse width 0.5 ms resistance = (voltage before pulse−0.5 ms voltage) /0.5 ms current. The 0.5 ms current is handled as a current flowing in the battery tester 1.

  In order to accurately determine the state of the battery 10, a frequency suitable for measuring the ohmic resistance Rohm and the charge transfer resistance Ret in the battery is used, and the voltage value and the current value measured at these frequencies are used. It is desirable to estimate the degradation of It is preferable to select a frequency at which the error is reduced when the frequency to be measured varies or the correspondence between the frequency and the impedance shifts due to battery variations. The error becomes small in a low frequency of 0.5 to 2 Hz (pulse width conversion 1 s to 0.25 ms) and in a high frequency region of 300 Hz to 3 kHz (pulse width conversion 1.7 ms to 0.17 ms). When using it as a battery tester, it is energized with a short pulse width of 1.7 ms to 0.17 ms and a long pulse width of 1 s to 0.25 ms corresponding to the frequencies of these two regions. The ohmic resistance Rohm and the charge transfer resistance Ret of the battery may be calculated from the values.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, the on-time of the first switch SW1 by the CPU of the microprocessor 2 is set to 0.5 ms within a short pulse width, and the on-time of the second switch SW2 is set to 0.5 s within a long pulse width. Set and control these two switches to ON state at different times, more specifically, control the second switch SW2 to OFF state and the first switch SW1 to ON state with a short pulse width (0.5 ms) Immediately after, the first switch SW1 is turned off, and the second switch SW2 is controlled to be turned on with a long pulse width (0.5 s).

  If the heat generation is large, the resistance value of the resistor may fluctuate, resulting in poor current measurement accuracy. If it is severe, the parts may be damaged, or the tester surface may become hot and cannot be held by hand. For this reason, in consideration of avoiding the problem of heat generation, as described above, the current is reduced to 2 A for a pulse having a long pulse width.

  On the other hand, the current with a short pulse width of 1.7 ms to 0.17 ms was 30 A when the current suitable for detection of a deteriorated battery in a battery of various battery types specified in JIS-D5301 was 30 A. did. Whether it is suitable for detecting a deteriorated battery is determined by measuring the internal resistance by discharging various currents between a new battery and a deteriorated battery of the same standard, and detecting a current with a large difference in internal resistance between the new battery and the deteriorated battery. Judged to be suitable. From 1.7 ms to 0.17 ms 30 A, the problem of heat generation is unlikely to occur, so it was not necessary to limit the current due to heat generation with a short pulse.

  Based on the above, in the present embodiment, the first resistor R1 has a wound resistance of 0.4Ω (error accuracy 5%), and the second resistor R2 has a winding resistance of 6Ω (error accuracy 5%). Resistance was used. In these resistance values, V1 shown in FIG. 5 is about 300 mV, and V2 is about 100 mV.

(Operation)
Next, a battery state estimation routine executed by the CPU of the microprocessor 2 (hereinafter simply referred to as CPU) will be described. When the operator connects the positive and negative clip respectively to the positive and negative terminals, a voltage sensor (not shown) senses the voltage of the battery 10 and supplies the power from the built-in battery to the above-described units, and is stored in the ROM of the microprocessor 2. The battery state estimation routine is started through an initial setting process such as development of programs and data in the RAM.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the battery state estimation routine, first, in step 102, a screen requesting input (selection) of information for specifying the type of the battery 10 is displayed on the LCD 7. Information for specifying the type of the battery 10 includes the type of the battery 10 (for example, 55D23 of the JIS-D5301 standard for a normal automobile battery, or Q55 of the SBA0101 standard of the Battery Industry Association for an ISS car battery), the battery 10 (For example, a normal car battery, an ISS car battery, a charge control car battery), and a type of a vehicle in which the battery 10 is mounted (eg, a normal car, ISS car, charge control car). .

  The operator operates, for example, a menu key of the input operation unit 6 to provide information for specifying the type of the battery 10 by any of the type of the battery 10, the type of the battery 10, and the type of the vehicle on which the battery 10 is mounted. A menu screen indicating whether to input is displayed on the LCD 7, and an enter (selection) screen that the user desires to input (select) is displayed on the LCD 7 by pressing the enter key of the input operation unit 6. For example, when the operator selects the type of the battery 10, a list screen of battery types is displayed on the input screen. The operator refers to the list screen, operates the up / down scroll key and the like to select the type of the battery 10 and presses the enter key, thereby inputting information for specifying the type of the battery 10. Similarly, when the operator selects the type of the battery 10 or the type of the vehicle on which the battery 10 is mounted, a list screen of the battery type or the type of the vehicle on which the battery is mounted is displayed. Is operated to select the type of the battery 10 and press the enter key to input information for specifying the type of the battery 10.

  Note that the type of a normal vehicle battery is defined in the JIS-D5301 standard, and the type of an ISS vehicle battery is defined in the SBA0101 standard of the Battery Industry Association. The model of the battery for charge control vehicles including regenerative charging is the same as the battery for ordinary automobiles, but since the sticker indicating that it is for charge control vehicles is attached on the upper surface, it can be confirmed that it is a charge control vehicle. .

  In addition, since the battery tester 1 has the USB terminal 11, instead of the information input method for specifying the type of the battery 10 by the LCD 7 and the input operation unit 6 as described above, the USB cable is connected to the USB terminal 11. By transmitting information for specifying the type of the battery 10 from the PC connected via the USB, the information for specifying the type of the battery 10 may be input, or the battery 10 is connected to the USB terminal 11. A USB memory storing information for specifying the type may be connected and the input operation unit 6 may be operated to input information for specifying the type of the battery 10.

  On the other hand, the CPU waits until information for specifying the type of the battery 10 is input (selected) in step 104, and when input (selected), the CPU specifies the type of the battery 10 in the next step 106. To do. At this time, for example, when information for specifying the type of the battery 10 is input (selected) by the type of the battery 10 or the type of the vehicle on which the battery 10 is mounted, the battery is referred to by referring to the corresponding table. 10 types are specified (for example, when Q55 is selected as the type of the battery 10 or when an ISS vehicle is selected as the type of the vehicle on which the battery is mounted, the battery is specified as an ISS vehicle battery).

  Next, at step 108, the CPU captures the open circuit voltage value (OCV) of the battery 10 output from the voltage measurement circuit 3. Note that the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 remain off. In step 108, the temperature value output from the temperature measurement circuit 5 is also captured.

  Next, in step 110, the first switch SW1 is controlled to be on for 0.5 ms. In the next step 112, while the first switch SW1 is controlled to be on, the voltage measurement circuit 3 The voltage value (V1) across the output first resistor R1 and the current value (I1) flowing through the first resistor R1 output from the first current measurement circuit 41 are captured. In this state, the second switch SW2 remains off.

  Next, in step 114, the first switch SW1 is controlled to be in an off state and the second switch SW2 is controlled to be in an on state for 0.5 s. In the next step 116, the second switch SW2 is controlled to be in an on state. In between, the both-ends voltage value (V2) of the 2nd resistance R2 output from the voltage measurement circuit 3 and the current value (I2) which flows into the 2nd resistance output from the 2nd current measurement circuit 42 are taken in. When this capture is completed, the second switch SW2 is controlled to be in an OFF state.

Next, in step 118, the measured open circuit voltage value (OCV), the voltage value (V1) across the first resistor R1, the current value (I1) flowing through the first resistor R1, and the both ends of the second resistor R2 The cold cranking amperage (CCA) value is calculated (calculated) from the voltage value (V2) and the current value (I2) flowing through the second resistor R2 by the following equation (1). As described above, since OCV, V1, I1, V2, and I2 are measured every 10 μs, the measured average values may be OCV, V1, I1, V2, and I2. When calculating the CCA, the CPU refers to the Rohm to Rohm ^* conversion map and the Ret to Ret ^* conversion map stored in the ROM and expanded in the RAM.

  Next, in step 120, the state of the battery 10 is estimated by applying the measured OCV and the calculated CCA to the determination map corresponding to the battery type specified in step 106.

  The determination map of this example defines the relationship between the OCV, the CCA, and the battery state. FIG. 6 shows a determination map for a normal automobile battery, and FIG. 7 shows a battery for an ISS car and a charge control car battery. An example of a determination map is shown. In these determination maps, a new battery should ideally be positioned at the position of 100% on the vertical axis in FIGS. 6 and 7, but as it deteriorates, the position of 75% is determined to be a good / replacement threshold. Set to value. However, the threshold value for determining good / required replacement is not limited to this.

  In addition, these determination maps include a good area and a required charging area that are adjacent to the state of the battery via a required charging threshold. In the determination map (FIG. 6) for a normal vehicle battery, the required charging threshold is 12.6V, whereas in the determination map for a battery for an ISS vehicle and a charge control vehicle (FIG. 7), the threshold required for charging is required. The value is set to 12.4V. In an ISS vehicle or a charge control vehicle including regenerative charging, a battery is used in a state where the SOC is low. Therefore, when the OCV of the required charging threshold is 12.6 V, which is the same as that of a normal automobile battery, the determination of required charging frequently occurs. Normally, a battery for an automobile has a short life when used at a low SOC, but a battery for an ISS car or a charge control car is designed so as not to cause a problem even when used at a low SOC. For this reason, it is possible to avoid erroneous determination of required charging by lowering the required charging threshold value to about 12.4V.

  Furthermore, in the determination map of this example, the battery state is classified into five types of “deterioration cell replacement”, “good charging required”, “good”, “retest after charge”, and “deterioration replacement”. , More or less may be classified. In the determination maps shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the OCV is 11.8 V when the oblique line that defines “retest after charge” and “deterioration replacement” is extended to CCA = 0%.

  In the next step 122, the state of charge (SOC) and health level (SOH) of the battery 10 are estimated and displayed on the touch panel. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the open state voltage value (OCV) measured in step 108 is applied to the relationship map that defines the relationship between the open circuit voltage (OCV) and the charged state (SOC), and the charged state of the battery 10 (SOC) is estimated. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the health degree (SOH) of the battery 10 is estimated by fitting the measured Ret to the second relation map that defines the relation between the charge transfer resistance Ret and the health degree (SOH) in the ROM. To do. Ohmic resistance and SOH are not generally compatible properties, but charge transfer resistance depends on the effective surface area of the electrode and the concentration of electrode reactive species (sulfuric acid) in the electrolyte. In a battery system in which the effective surface area and the electrode reactive species (sulfuric acid) concentration vary with (SOC), the charge transfer resistance corresponds to SOH. Since the remaining capacity is a one-to-one correspondence with SOH, the remaining capacity can be estimated. In estimating these SOH and SOC, it is preferable to correct the temperature to SOH and SOC at a predetermined temperature.

  Further, in step 122, as a result of the estimation (test) of the state of the battery 10 by the battery tester 1, the green LED of the display unit 12 is displayed when the battery 10 is in a good state, and when the battery 10 is in a required charging state. The yellow LED of the display unit 12 is turned on for a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes), respectively, when the battery 10 is in a replacement required state. Further, when there is an instruction to output the measurement result or the estimation result to the mini printer 8 via the input operation unit 6, the instruction is output (printed) according to the instruction. When the process in step 122 ends, the battery state estimation routine ends.

(Effects etc.)
Next, functions and effects of the battery tester 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

  The positive clip 30 of the battery tester 1 according to the present embodiment includes two clip pieces 31, a metal piece 32 that is provided at the tip of each of the two clip pieces 31, and contacts the positive external terminal of the battery, and two clip pieces. A connecting member 34 that connects the 31, a spring (not shown) that biases the tip of the metal piece 32 provided at the tip of each of the two clip pieces, and one of the two clip pieces 31. The temperature sensor TH is disposed on one inner side, or is fixed to either one of the metal pieces 32 provided at the front ends of the two clip pieces 31. For this reason, the positive electrode external terminal and the metal piece 32 can be easily connected by sandwiching the positive electrode external terminal of the battery between the two clip pieces 31, and the clip portion that comes into contact with the hand is made of resin and has thermal conductivity. Since the temperature of the hand is low, the temperature of the hand hardly affects the temperature sensor TH, and the temperature of the positive external terminal made of metal and having high thermal conductivity and inserted to the inside of the battery can be accurately measured as the battery temperature. When the temperature sensor TH is fixed to any one of the metal pieces 32 provided at the tip portions of the two clip pieces 31, the temperature of the positive external terminal is measured as the temperature of the battery to measure with higher accuracy. be able to. Also, the positive external terminal is generally thicker than the negative external terminal, and the battery temperature is more easily transmitted to the negative external terminal. Therefore, it is convenient that a temperature sensor closer to the battery temperature can be measured by arranging the temperature sensor inside the clip piece 31 that sandwiches the positive electrode external terminal.

  Further, in the positive electrode clip 30 of the battery tester 1 of the present embodiment, the temperature sensor TH is mounted on the flexible substrate 33, and the flexible substrate 33 is formed of the metal piece 32 provided at the tip of each of the two clip pieces 31. It adheres to either one of them. For this reason, the temperature sensor TH can be easily fixed to the metal piece 32. Furthermore, the flexible substrate 33 is fixed to a position opposite to the tip of one of the metal pieces 32 provided at the tip of each of the two clip pieces 31. For this reason, when the positive clip 30 is connected to the positive external terminal of the battery, the flexible substrate 33 or the temperature sensor TH mounted on the flexible substrate 33 may come into contact with or interfere with the positive external terminal or the opposing metal piece. Can be prevented.

  Furthermore, in the positive electrode clip 30 of the battery tester 1 of the present embodiment, the metal piece 32 provided at the tip of each of the two clip pieces 31 has a saw-like portion that can come into contact with the positive electrode external terminal, A saw-shaped portion protrudes inward (on the other metal piece 32 side) from each of the two clip pieces 31. For this reason, the electrical connection by contact with a positive electrode external terminal is securable. Further, in the positive electrode clip 30 of the battery tester 1 of the present embodiment, the metal piece 32 is screwed to the respective tip portions of the two clip pieces 31. For this reason, the metal piece 32 can be finally fixed to the tip of the clip piece 31 and the assemblability can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the battery tester 1 of the present embodiment, the temperature sensor TH is arranged on the positive clip 30 for connecting to the positive external terminal of the battery. Since the positive electrode external terminal is generally thicker than the negative electrode external terminal (because the heat capacity is large), the temperature can be measured more accurately than the negative electrode external terminal when measuring temperature with a temperature sensor.

  Further, in the battery tester 1 of the present embodiment, since the output line of the temperature sensor TH is led out through the flexible substrate 33, the lead-out position of the output line 36 can be set at an appropriate location on the clip piece 31. . Furthermore, in the battery tester 1 of the present embodiment, the connection line 37 and the output line 36 are led out to the tester body 20 as one connection cable 39 having the same covered tube, so the clip 30 and the tester body 20 The number of wirings between can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in the battery tester 1 of the present embodiment, the ROM is a map that defines the relationship among the OCV, the CCA, and the battery state, and is a good region that is adjacent to the battery state via a charge required threshold value. And a plurality of determination maps (see FIGS. 6 and 7) different from each other in at least the charge required threshold value corresponding to the type of battery are stored. These determination maps are expanded in the RAM. Yes. In accordance with the information for specifying the type of battery input (selected) by the input operation unit 6, a determination map having different charging threshold values corresponding to the type of battery is switched (corresponding to the type of battery). The determination state is specified, and the state of the battery is estimated (steps 106 and 120). For this reason, it is possible to avoid erroneous determination of required charging even for batteries for ISS vehicles and charge control vehicles, and to appropriately determine the state of the battery 10.

  Further, according to the battery tester 1 of the present embodiment, the microprocessor 2 has the first pulse width within which the frequency error is almost minimized when calculating the ohmic resistance Rohm and the charge transfer resistance Ret of the battery 10. The switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are controlled to be turned on. For this reason, the microprocessor 2 measures the open circuit voltage value (OCV) of the battery 10 and the first resistor R1 measured in a state where the first switch SW1 is controlled to be on with a short pulse width (0.5 ms). The ohmic resistance component Rohm of the battery 10 can be properly detected from the both-end voltage value (V1) and the current value (I1) flowing through the first resistor R1 (see equation (1)), and this ohmic resistance component Rohm, The open circuit voltage value (OCV) of the battery 10, the voltage value (V2) across the second resistor R2 measured with the second switch SW2 controlled to be on with a long pulse width (0.5 s), and the second voltage Since the charge transfer resistance Ret of the battery 10 can be properly detected from the current value (I2) flowing through the resistor 2 (see equation (1)), the state of the battery 10 can be accurately estimated. .

  Further, according to the battery tester 1 of the present embodiment, the energization pulse flowing through the first and second energization circuits is 1 s or less even with a long pulse width (0.5 s), and the energization current (30 A) also simulates engine start. Since it is not necessary to make the current so large, heat generation can be suppressed, the first resistance R1 and the second resistance R2 can be reduced, and the overall size of the apparatus can be reduced.

  Furthermore, according to the battery tester 1 of the present embodiment, the microprocessor 2 immediately after the second switch SW2 is turned off and the first switch SW1 is turned on with a short pulse width (0.5 ms). Since the first switch SW1 is turned off and the second switch SW2 is controlled to be turned on with a long pulse width (0.5 s), the influence of the remaining capacity of the battery 10 can be reduced, and the state of the battery 10 can be accurately determined. Can be estimated well.

  Further, according to the battery tester 1 of the present embodiment, the microprocessor 2 includes the open circuit voltage value (OCV), the voltage value across the first resistor R1 (V1), and the current value (I1) flowing through the first resistor R1. ) And the voltage value (V2) across the second resistor R2 and the current value (I2) flowing through the second resistor R2, the charge transfer resistance value Ret of the battery 10 is calculated, and the calculated charge transfer resistance value Ret The health level (SOH) of the battery 10 is estimated by applying it to a relationship map that defines the relationship between the charge transfer resistance value Ret and the health level of the battery 10 stored in advance in the ROM, and the open circuit voltage value (OCV) is calculated. The state of the battery 10 can be detected in detail because the state of charge (SOC) of the battery 10 is estimated by applying it to a relationship map that defines the relationship between the open circuit voltage and the state of charge.

  Furthermore, according to the battery tester 1 of the present embodiment, the calculated ohmic resistance Rohm and the charge transfer resistance Ret are set to values at −18 ° C. based on the temperature values measured by the temperature measurement circuit 5 having the temperature sensor TH. Since it correct | amends, a cold cranking amperage value can be calculated accurately and, as a result, the state of the battery 10 can be estimated appropriately.

  In the present embodiment, an example of the clip 30 that urges the metal pieces 32 to come into contact with each other by a spring (not shown) is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a locking member that avoids contact between the tips of the metal pieces 32 may be provided so that the tips of the metal pieces 32 are close to each other.

  In the present embodiment, the temperature sensor TH is disposed on the positive clip 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the temperature sensor TH may be disposed on the negative clip 40. 30 and the negative electrode clip 40 may be arranged. In the latter case, an average value of temperatures measured by two temperature sensors may be used as the battery temperature. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example in which the output line 36 and the connection line 37 are led out from the same metal piece 32 and the flexible substrate 33 fixed to the metal piece 32 has been shown, but the output line 36 and the connection line 37 are May be derived from either one or the other of the two metal pieces 32 facing each other.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the example in which the metal piece 32 is screwed to the respective distal end portions of the two clip pieces 31 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, two pieces You may make it arrange | position a metal piece to the front-end | tip part of a clip piece by insert molding. Moreover, in this embodiment, although the flexible board | substrate 33 which mounted temperature sensor TH showed the example fixed to the metal piece 32, this invention is not restricted to this, For example, either one of the two clip pieces 31 is shown. It may be fixed or fixed directly inside, or may be arranged without being fixed or fixed.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of determination maps that define the relationship among the OCV, the CCA, and the battery state are exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, SOC may be used instead of OCV. The conversion from OCV to SOC can be performed using, for example, the relationship map shown in FIG. Further, SOH or the internal resistance (Ir) of the battery may be used instead of CCA. As described above, there is a correlation between the charge transfer resistance value Ret and the health level (SOH) (see also FIG. 9), and it is known that there is a correlation between the SOH and the internal resistance (Ir). SOH and Ir can be obtained from the resistance value Ret. Therefore, for example, when using a plurality of determination maps that define the relationship between SOC, SOH or Ir, and the battery state, the first relationship map that defines the relationship between OCV and SOC, the charge transfer resistance, A second relationship map that defines the relationship with SOH or Ir is also stored in the ROM, and the SOC value is calculated by applying the measured OCV to the first relationship map, and the charge calculated by equation (1) is used. The value of SOH or Ir is calculated by applying the movement resistance value to the second relationship map, and the state of the battery 10 is estimated by applying the calculated SOC and SOH or Ir to the determination map corresponding to the type of the battery 10 You may make it do. Furthermore, although CCA (%) was illustrated in this embodiment, CCA (A) may be used instead.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although the example which displays the estimation result of the state of the battery 10 by the battery tester 1 by lighting LED of the display part 12 was shown, this invention is not restricted to this, For example, with LCD7 You may make it display. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to improve the determination accuracy of the battery tester 1, the first and second energization circuits are exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the determination is performed using one energization circuit. It can also be applied to battery testers.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the determination map of the entire area is illustrated, but a table in which both OCV and CCA are discrete values is used as a determination map, and the CPU apportions the numerical value between the discrete values. You may make it complement by.

  In the present embodiment, the voltage measurement circuit 3 is single in consideration of cost, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an open circuit voltage measurement unit that measures the open circuit voltage of the battery 10; You may make it comprise the three voltage measurement parts of the 1st voltage measurement part which measures the both-ends voltage of 1st resistance R1, and the 2nd voltage measurement part which measures the both-ends voltage of 2nd resistance R2.

  In the present embodiment, in order to improve current measurement accuracy, the first current measurement circuit 41 that measures the current flowing through the first resistor R1 and the second current measurement circuit that measures the current flowing through the second resistor R2 are used. For example, the battery 10 when the current sensor is provided between the positive clip and the second switch SW2 and the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are closed is illustrated. The current flowing through the current may be measured by one current measurement circuit. In this case, the current value flowing through the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 may be calculated in consideration of the resistance when the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are in the on state.

  In this embodiment, the operator connects the positive and negative clip to the positive and negative terminals, respectively, so that the voltage sensor (not shown) senses the voltage of the battery 10 and automatically supplies the power from the built-in battery to each unit. In this example, the battery state estimation routine is started. However, a power switch for turning on or off the battery tester 1 is provided, and the operator connects the positive and negative clips to the positive and negative terminals, and turns on the power switch. Thus, the battery state estimation routine may be started.

  Since the present invention provides a clip capable of measuring the temperature of a battery simply and accurately and a battery tester including the clip, the present invention contributes to the manufacture and sale of the clip and the battery tester. Have

1 Battery Tester 20 Tester Body 30 Positive Clip (Clip)
31 Clip piece 32 Metal piece 33 Flexible substrate 34 Connecting member 35 Screw 36 Output line 37 Connection line TH Temperature sensor

Claims (10)

In the clip for securing the electrical connection with the external terminal across the external terminal erected on the battery,
Two resin clip pieces,
A metal piece that is provided at each of the two clip pieces and contacts the external terminal;
A connecting member for connecting the two clip pieces;
A spring that biases the tips of the metal pieces provided at the tips of the two clip pieces so that the tips of the metal pieces are in contact with or close to each other;
A temperature sensor disposed inside one of the two clip pieces;
With clip.   2. The temperature sensor is mounted on a flexible substrate, and the flexible substrate is fixed to one of metal pieces provided at the respective tip portions of the two clip pieces. Clip as described in.   3. The flexible substrate is fixed to a position opposite to the tip of one of the metal pieces provided at the tip of each of the two clip pieces. Clip as described in.   The metal piece provided at the tip of each of the two clip pieces has a saw-like portion that can contact the external terminal, and the saw-like portion protrudes from each of the two clip pieces. The clip according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by:   The clip according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the temperature sensor is a thermistor.   The clip according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the metal piece is screwed or inserted into a tip portion of each of the two clip pieces.   A battery tester comprising a pair of clips for sandwiching a positive electrode external terminal and a negative electrode external terminal erected on a battery to ensure electrical connection with the external terminals, and at least one of the pair of clips, A battery tester using the clip according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   8. The battery tester according to claim 7, wherein the temperature sensor is arranged on a clip for securing an electrical connection with the positive external terminal of the pair of clips. 9.   The temperature sensor is mounted on a flexible substrate, and the flexible substrate is disposed inside one of the two clip pieces constituting a clip for ensuring electrical connection with the positive external terminal. The battery tester according to claim 7, wherein an output line of the temperature sensor is led out through the flexible substrate.   A connection line connected to the tester main body is provided from either one of the metal pieces provided at the front ends of the two clip pieces constituting the clip for ensuring electrical connection with the positive electrode external terminal. The connection line and the output line of the temperature sensor led out through the flexible substrate are led out to the tester body as one line having the same coated tube. Item 10. A battery tester according to Item 9.

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