JP2014121180A - Battery adaptor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery adaptor which can supply a necessary power by using different kinds of batteries.SOLUTION: A terminal block 2 prepared for each kind of batteries 1 includes: battery relay input terminals 21 energizing and connecting to a specific kind of battery; battery relay output terminals 22 connected to the battery relay input terminals 21; and an identification body 8 for identifying the specific battery. An adapter body 3 to which the terminal block 2 is mounted includes: a battery input terminal 31 which can be connected to the battery relay output terminals; a battery information acquisition part 5 which acquires battery information from the identification body 8; a power conversion part 4 which converts direct-current power input from the battery input terminal 31 into user utilization power; and a battery evaluation part 6 which evaluates the state of the battery on the basis of the battery information and the input direct-current power.

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery adapter that uses a battery as a power source to convert it to desired power and supplies power to an external device.

  It has been known for a long time to use a battery mounted on a vehicle in order to operate an electric device brought from outside in the automobile. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a plug unit that extracts power from a battery by being inserted into a cigarette lighter socket of an automobile, a DC / AC conversion circuit unit that converts the extracted battery power into 100V AC power, and this AC power. An in-vehicle DC / AC converter (battery adapter) including an AC outlet supplied as user power is disclosed. Such a battery adapter is convenient for an electric device used in a car, but is inconvenient for use in a place far away from a car. Therefore, in the event of an emergency such as a power outage, when using a device that requires power in a place away from the vehicle, a battery that is more familiar, such as a battery for an electric bicycle or a battery for an electric tool, is slightly less in capacity. A battery adapter that can effectively use a battery for a personal computer is required.

  The battery provided in each household as described above not only has a smaller capacity than an automobile battery, but also has different output terminal shapes and arrangements. Furthermore, there are various types of batteries such as lead acid, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, and lithium ion. In addition, when using the battery, there is another problem that it is necessary to avoid over-discharge that would impose a heavy burden on the battery. Lithium-ion batteries generally have a built-in overdischarge prevention circuit in the battery body, while other batteries do not normally have an overdischarge prevention circuit built in, so they are monitored to prevent overdischarge. There is a need to. Moreover, since the capacity | capacitance of a single battery is limited at the time of a power failure for a long time, you have to use several different batteries in order. However, as described above, the battery types vary, and even the same type of battery has a great burden on the use of a plurality of different batteries because the shape and arrangement of its output terminals are different.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-69843 (FIG. 1)

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery adapter capable of supplying necessary power using different types of batteries.

  In order to achieve the above object, a battery adapter according to the present invention includes a terminal block prepared for each type of battery and an adapter main body to which the terminal block is mounted. The terminal block includes a battery relay input terminal that is energized and connected to a specific type of battery, a battery relay output terminal connected to the battery relay input terminal, and an identification body for identifying the specific battery. . The adapter body includes a battery input terminal connectable to the battery relay output terminal, a battery information acquisition unit for acquiring battery information for identifying the type of the battery from the identification body, a user power output terminal, Based on the power conversion unit that converts the DC power input from the battery input terminal into user usage power and sends it to the user usage power output terminal, the battery information and the DC voltage input from the battery input terminal A battery evaluation unit for evaluating the state of the battery.

  This battery adapter includes a terminal block prepared for each different type of battery as an accessory member. The individual terminal block includes a battery relay input terminal that is energized and connected to a specific type of battery applied to the terminal block, and a battery relay output terminal that is connected to the battery relay input terminal. Each terminal block of the battery adapter is attached to the adapter main body side of the battery adapter. At this time, since the battery relay output terminal on the terminal block side is connected to the battery input terminal on the adapter body side, the DC power output from the battery is supplied to the battery relay output terminal via the battery relay input terminal. The direct-current power supplied to the battery relay output terminal is converted into user usage power determined by the specification and can be taken out from the user usage power output terminal. Further, the battery information acquisition unit acquires the battery information of the battery from the identification body provided on the terminal block in order to identify the connected battery. The battery evaluation unit evaluates the state of the battery being fed based on the direct-current power of the battery, but battery information such as the type of battery to be evaluated can be obtained from the battery information acquisition unit, and is used. Evaluation suitable for the battery becomes possible.

  In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adapter body is provided with a mounted portion for detachably mounting the mounting portion formed on the terminal block, and a battery relay output terminal is provided on the mounting portion. The battery input terminal is provided in the attached portion, and the battery relay output terminal and the battery input terminal are connected when the terminal block is attached to the adapter body. In this configuration, since the connection between the battery relay output terminal and the battery input terminal is mechanically realized by attaching the terminal block to the adapter body, the user operation becomes easy. Moreover, since the battery relay output terminal and the battery input terminal are provided in the mounting portion and the mounted portion, respectively, the mounting structure is compact.

  Battery information is used to make the adapter body of the battery adapter recognize the type of battery to be used and the built-in function, but if the type of battery to be handled can be limited to some extent, the type of battery to be handled is determined by the geometric shape Can be represented by a typical pattern. Therefore, one of the preferred embodiments of the identification body is a geometric shape portion formed in the mounting portion and having a shape coded with the type of the battery. As a specific example of the geometric part, the geometric part may be composed of one or more protrusions. At that time, since such a protrusion can mechanically operate a switch when the terminal block is mounted, the battery information acquisition unit is equipped with one or more switches operated by the protrusion. The type of battery connected to the connected terminal block can be recognized.

  When there are many types of batteries to be handled or when the battery information includes not only the battery type but also information such as battery voltage and overdischarge voltage, the identifier can be read optically or magnetically recording the battery information. It is preferable to use a simple tag or an IC tag.

  Lithium-ion batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-cadmium batteries usually have a built-in overdischarge prevention function. When an overdischarge voltage is detected, the discharge is stopped. Most of them do not have a built-in detection function. For this reason, in one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the battery evaluation unit includes an overdischarge control unit that stops discharging the battery based on a DC voltage input from the battery input terminal. Yes. As a result, even if the battery does not have a built-in overdischarge prevention function, the overdischarge control unit prevents overdischarge, so you can use batteries used in other devices or borrowed batteries with confidence. Can do.

  Since the most necessary power source at home in the event of a power failure is an AC power source, it is preferable that the power converter is configured as an inverter circuit. However, since charging of a mobile phone or the like is also important in the event of a disaster, a conversion circuit that adjusts the battery voltage to a charging voltage suitable for the mobile phone is also important. For this reason, it is optimal that the power conversion unit is provided with both an inverter circuit and a conversion circuit, and the user power output terminal is configured to selectively supply either AC or DC or both. is there. However, it is not excluded in the present invention that the cost is limited to either one in consideration of the cost burden. It is also possible to provide a plurality of inverter circuits and / or a plurality of conversion circuits that can be selected by the power conversion unit.

It is a schematic diagram explaining the basic composition of the battery adapter by this invention. It is a perspective view of the battery adapter which is one of the specific embodiments of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the terminal block with which an adapter main body is mounted | worn. It is a schematic diagram which shows a different kind of battery. It is a functional block diagram of the electric power feeding system built in the adapter main body. It is explanatory drawing which shows another embodiment using a barcode or an IC tag as an identification body.

  First, the basic configuration of the battery adapter according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. For this reason, the shape and the like of the components constituting the battery adapter in FIG. 1 are conceptually illustrated. The battery adapter is composed of a terminal block 2 and an adapter body 3. A terminal block 2 is prepared for each type of battery 1. Each terminal block 2 is provided with a battery relay input terminal 21 adapted to the shape and arrangement of the battery terminal 10 of the battery 1 to be assigned. For example, a terminal block 2 assigned to a type A battery (for example, a lithium ion battery) 1 a includes a battery relay input terminal 21 that matches the battery terminal 10 of the battery 1 a, and the battery 1 a is attached to the terminal block 2. Thus, the battery terminal 10 and the battery relay input terminal 21 can be easily connected. At that time, it is preferable that the battery terminal 10 and the battery relay input terminal 21 are automatically energized and connected as the battery 1 a is attached to the terminal block 2. In FIG. 1, similarly, a terminal block 2 corresponding to a type B battery (for example, a nickel metal hydride battery) 1b and a terminal block 2 corresponding to a type C battery (for example, a lead acid battery) 1c are also prepared. Separate terminal blocks 2 are also prepared for the same lithium ion battery with different battery terminal 10 shapes and arrangements, battery voltage specifications, and the like. Hereinafter, the battery 1 is simply described unless it is necessary to specifically distinguish the type.

  The terminal block 2 prepared for each type includes a battery relay output terminal 22 and a mounting portion 24 of common specifications connected to the battery relay input terminal 21. The battery relay output terminal 22 and the mounting portion 24 have the same shape in all the terminal blocks 2. Since the adapter main body 3 is provided with the mounted portion 34 having a mounting shape corresponding to the mounting portion 24, all the terminal blocks 2 can be mounted on the single adapter main body 3. In FIG. 1, one end region of the terminal block 2 functions as the mounting portion 24, and the mounted portion 34 is a recess formed in the adapter main body 3 in order to fit the mounting portion 24. Since the adapter main body 3 is provided with a battery input terminal 31 having a shape to be connected to the battery relay output terminal 22, the adapter main body 3 includes the battery relay output terminals 22 and the battery input terminals 31 of all the terminal blocks 2. Connectable. It is convenient to adopt a configuration in which the battery relay output terminal 22 and the battery input terminal 31 are mechanically connected by attaching the attachment part 24 to the attachment part 34. For example, when the mounting portion 24 is formed as a convex portion and the mounted portion 34 is formed as a concave portion corresponding to the convex portion, the battery relay output terminal 22 is provided around the convex portion, and the concave portion This can be realized by providing the battery input terminal 31 in the periphery.

  Further, the terminal block 2 is provided with an identification body 8 for identifying different types of batteries 1. By this identification body 8, the adapter main body 3 side can detect that the battery 1 attached to the terminal block 2 is a specific type (for example, type A). That is, the identification body 8 has a function of giving battery information for identifying the battery 1. Since various kinds of discriminators 8 can be adopted, here, a specific shape is not shown, but the discriminator 8 is schematically shown in order to express it in a superordinate concept. A specific and simple configuration of the identification body 8 includes a configuration in which encoded battery information is given based on the presence or absence of protrusions (or missing portions or holes). In such a configuration, the battery information acquisition unit 5 that acquires battery information provided in the adapter main body 3 can be constructed by a signal processing function unit of a switch that is turned ON / OFF depending on the presence or absence of this protrusion. Of course, the presence or absence of protrusions may be detected optically or magnetically using an optical sensor or a magnetic sensor instead of such a switch. Furthermore, the identification body 8 may be a bar code seal, and the battery information acquisition unit 5 may be a bar code reader. In the case where it is not desired to limit the arrangement location of the identification body 8, a configuration in which the identification body is an IC tag and the battery information acquisition unit 5 is an IC tag reader to acquire battery information wirelessly may be employed.

  The adapter main body 3 is provided with a user power output terminal 32 that functions as a terminal for supplying power to an external electric device or a service outlet. In addition, as a core function of the adapter body 3, a power conversion unit 4 that converts DC power input from the battery 1 through the battery input terminal 31 into predetermined power and outputs it to the user power output terminal 32 is provided. Furthermore, it is attached to the attached terminal block 2 based on the battery information obtained by the battery information acquisition unit 5 and the DC power of the battery 1 input through the battery input terminal 31 during the power conversion process. A battery evaluation unit 6 that evaluates the state of the battery 1 is provided. Examples of evaluation contents by the battery evaluation unit 6 include electromotive force, voltage fluctuation, current fluctuation, and the like of the battery 1. A particularly preferable form of the battery evaluation unit 6 is to function as an overdischarge control unit that stops the discharge of the battery 1 based on the DC voltage input from the battery input terminal 31. In this overdischarge control, the overdischarge voltage value of the battery 1 is determined from the battery information, and the power from the battery input terminal 31 is cut off when the DC voltage of the battery input terminal 31 becomes equal to or lower than the overdischarge voltage value. Is done. Although the overdischarge voltage value varies depending on the type of the battery 1, the overdischarge voltage value of the battery 1 being used is obtained from the battery information, so that reliable overdischarge prevention is realized.

  If the user power output terminal 32 is an AC outlet, the power conversion unit 4 is configured with an inverter circuit as a core. Further, if the user use power output terminal 32 is a DC output terminal, the power conversion unit 4 is configured with a DC-DC converter circuit as a core. Of course, if the user power output terminal 32 is configured to include both an AC outlet and a DC output terminal, the power conversion unit 4 includes an inverter circuit and a DC-DC converter circuit.

  Next, one specific embodiment of the battery adapter according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 2A and 2B are perspective views of the battery unit, in which FIG. 2A shows a state during preparation, and FIG. 2B shows a state during a power feeding operation. This battery adapter is configured to output AC 100 V using a battery 1 for an electric bicycle as a power source, and includes an adapter body 3 and a terminal block 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal block 2 is formed at one end of a flat rectangular parallelepiped terminal block 2 in a mounting recess 34 as a mounted portion formed on the side surface of the housing 30 of the adapter body 3. The mounting part 24 is inserted. A handle 25 is formed at the end of the terminal block 2 opposite to the mounting portion 24. The housing 30 of the adapter body 3 is provided with a holding frame 35 for guiding the battery 1 to the terminal block 2 attached and for holding the battery 1 attached to the terminal block 2.

  As shown in part in FIG. 4, many types of batteries 1 for electric bicycles are provided by manufacturers of electric bicycles. For example, FIG. 4A shows a battery 1a in which a battery terminal 10 including four contacts is provided on a peripheral wall of a fitting portion 11 formed at the lower end of the battery housing. Of these four contacts, two on the right side are connected to the power supply line, and two on the left side are connected to the control line. Accordingly, the terminal block 2 for mounting the battery 1a is formed with a fitting recess 20 that fits into the fitting portion 11. Further, as can be understood from FIG. 3, the insertion recess 20 is provided with a battery relay input terminal 21 composed of contacts that come into contact with the two contacts on the right side of the battery terminal 10 when the fitting portion 11 is fitted. It has been.

  FIG. 4 (b) shows a battery 1b in which a battery terminal 10 composed of four contacts is provided on the peripheral wall of the fitting portion 11 formed at the lower end of the battery housing. Out of these four contacts, the outer two are connected to the power supply line, and the inner two are connected to the internal thermistor. Therefore, when the fitting portion 11 is fitted in the fitting recess 20 of the terminal block 1 for mounting the battery 1a, the battery relay input terminal 21 is formed of contacts that come into contact with the two contacts outside the battery terminal 10. Is provided. In addition, the battery relay input terminal 21 is provided with a contact point that contacts the two inner contacts, and a thermistor signal obtained from the contact point is sent to the adapter body 3 to notify the battery temperature based on the thermistor signal. Is possible.

  FIG. 4 (c) shows a battery 1c provided with a battery terminal 10 composed of four flat pins protruding from the bottom wall of the fitting portion 11 formed at the lower end of the battery housing. Out of these four contacts, the two outside are reinforcing pins (dummy pins) for coupling reinforcement, and the two inside are connected to the power supply line. Therefore, when the fitting portion 11 is fitted in the fitting recess 20 of the terminal block 1 for attaching the battery 1a, the battery relay input terminal 21 having pin holes for receiving the four flat pins of the battery terminal 10 is provided. Provided, and contact points for power supply lines are provided in the two pin holes inside.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, since the battery terminal 10 of the battery 1 is arranged in various forms, the insertion recess 20 suitable for the fitting part 11 of each battery 1 and the battery relay input suitable for the battery terminal 10. A terminal block 2 having terminals 21 is prepared. However, the mounting portion 24 of all the terminal blocks 2 is adapted to the shape and size of the mounted portion 34 of the adapter body 3 so that the terminal block 2 functions as a relay member for a plurality of types of batteries 1. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting portion 24 of the terminal block 2 is inserted into the mounting recess 34 of the adapter body 3, and the battery relay output terminal 22 connected to the battery relay input terminal 21 is connected to the mounting portion 24. Is provided. Since the battery relay output terminal 22 has the purpose of sending battery power to the adapter body 3, the battery input terminal 31 is placed in the mounting recess so as to come into contact with the battery relay output terminal 22 when inserted into the mounting recess 34. 34 is provided on the inner peripheral wall. Since the position of the battery relay output terminal 22 in the terminal block 2 is common to all types of terminal blocks 2, the battery input terminal 31 can receive the battery power of various batteries 1 via the terminal block 2. .

  Further, a projection 81 as a geometric body that can function as the above-described identification body 8 is provided on the bottom of the mounting portion 24 of the terminal block 2. The number and position of the protrusions 81 differ depending on the terminal block 2. Here, since it is designed so that a maximum of three protrusions 81 are provided, so-called 3-bit information can be expressed by the presence or absence of the protrusions 81. This means that a maximum of eight types of batteries 1 can be identified. In the mounting recess 34 of the adapter main body 3, three type detection switches 52 that are turned ON or OFF by the protrusion 81 are provided in order to detect battery information based on the presence or absence of the protrusion 81. The three type detection switches 52 generate eight types of signals from “000” to “111” depending on the presence or absence of the protrusion 81. If the type of the battery 1 is assigned to this signal in advance, the type of the battery 1 to be used can be detected. Furthermore, battery information such as the rated electromotive force and overdischarge voltage can be obtained by using a map in which the codes are tabulated.

  FIG. 5 shows a functional block diagram of a power feeding system built in the adapter main body. As main components, a power converter 4, a battery information acquisition unit 5, and a battery evaluation unit 6 are provided. In this embodiment, the power converter 4 is constructed as an inverter circuit 41. Further, the battery evaluation unit 6 constructs an overdischarge control unit 61 that prevents overdischarge.

  The battery information acquisition unit 5 is connected to a type detection switch 52 and receives an identification signal indicating the type of the battery 1 described above. The battery information acquisition unit 5 detects the type of the battery 1 placed on the terminal block 2 based on the input identification signal, and gives an overdischarge voltage and a rated electromotive force to the battery evaluation unit 6 to control threshold values. Set as. The overdischarge control unit 61 is connected to the power supply line 36 connected to the battery input terminal 31, detects the voltage of the battery input terminal 31, that is, the battery voltage, and compares it with the set overdischarge voltage. When the detected battery voltage drops to the overdischarge voltage, the cutoff switch 61a interposed in the power supply line 36 is operated to prevent the overdischarge, and the power supply line 36 is cut off. The battery evaluation unit 6 includes a drive circuit that drives a lamp and a buzzer as the notification device 7, and prompts the user to replace the battery 1 through a warning lamp and an alarm buzzer when the battery voltage drops to an overdischarge voltage.

  As is well known, the inverter circuit 4 is a circuit that converts direct current into alternating current, and although detailed explanation is omitted here, the battery voltage input through the feeder line 36 is boosted and DC-AC conversion is performed. Thus, the generated AC 100 V is output to an AC outlet 32 a which is one form of the user use power output terminal 32. The user can use the AC electrical device by using the battery 1 as a power source by inserting the plug of the AC electrical device to be used into the AC outlet 32a. For example, even if the gas supply is safe at the time of a power failure due to a disaster or the like, the gas water heater or the gas rice cooker cannot be operated if the gas water heater or the gas rice cooker requires AC 100V. However, a battery 1 for an electric bicycle at home or in the neighborhood is attached to a terminal block 2 suitable for the type of the battery 1, and the terminal block 2 is attached to the adapter body 3. And gas cooker can be operated.

[Another embodiment]
(1) In the above-described embodiment, only one terminal block 2 can be mounted on one adapter body 3, but a plurality of terminal blocks 2 can be mounted on one adapter body 3, and a plurality of batteries can be mounted. 1 may be used as a power source.
(2) The AC outlet 32a may have a different voltage.
(3) A DC-DC converter circuit may be further provided as the power conversion unit, and a DC output terminal may be provided as the user-use power output terminal 32.
(4) As shown in FIG. 6, a bar code seal 82 or an IC tag 83 may be adopted as an identification body instead of a protrusion for operating the type detection switch 52. In that case, the battery information acquisition unit 5 is constructed as a barcode reader 54 or a tag reader 55.

  The present invention is applicable to battery adapters that output desired power using different types of batteries.

1: Battery 10: Battery terminal 2: Terminal block 21: Battery relay input terminal 22: Battery relay output terminal 24: Mounting portion 3: Adapter body 30: Housing 31: Battery input terminal 32: User power output terminal 32a: AC outlet 32b: DC output terminal 34: Mounted part 4: Power conversion part 41: Inverter circuit 42: Converter circuit 5: Battery information acquisition part 52: Type detection switch 54: Bar code reader 55: Tag reader 6: Battery evaluation part 61: Overload Discharge control unit 62: Battery life determination unit 8: Identification body 82: Bar code seal 83: IC tag 81: Projection (geometric shape portion)

Claims (7)

A terminal block prepared for each type of battery; and an adapter main body to which the terminal block is mounted; and the terminal block includes a battery relay input terminal that is energized and connected to a specific type of battery, and the battery relay input terminal. A battery relay output terminal that is connected, and an identification body for identifying the specific battery,
The adapter body includes a battery input terminal connectable to the battery relay output terminal, a battery information acquisition unit for acquiring battery information for identifying the type of the battery from the identification body, a user power output terminal, A power converter that converts DC power input from the battery input terminal to user power and sends the power to the user power output terminal; and the battery information and the DC power input from the battery input terminal. A battery adapter including a battery evaluation unit that evaluates a state of the battery.   The adapter body is provided with a mounted portion for detachably mounting the mounting portion formed on the terminal block, the battery relay output terminal is provided at the mounting portion, and the battery input terminal is provided at the mounted portion. The battery adapter according to claim 1, wherein the battery relay output terminal and the battery input terminal are connected when the terminal block is attached to the adapter body.   The battery adapter according to claim 2, wherein the identification body is a geometric shape portion formed on the mounting portion and having a shape in which the type of the battery is coded.   4. The battery adapter according to claim 3, wherein the geometric part includes one or more protrusions, and the battery information acquisition part includes one or more switches operated by the protrusions when the terminal block is mounted.   The battery adapter according to claim 1, wherein the identification body is an optically or magnetically readable tag or an IC tag in which the battery information is recorded.   The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the battery evaluation unit includes an overdischarge control unit that stops discharging of the battery based on a DC voltage input from the battery input terminal. adapter.   The battery adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the power converter is an inverter circuit, a converter circuit, or both.

Images