JP2017175744A - Portable backup power supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable backup power supply device that can be used as a backup power supply device, and that can prevent a large current from being flown in some battery units with certainty even in a case where unspecified battery units are connected in parallel to each other.SOLUTION: A portable backup power supply device comprises: a plurality of battery units connected in parallel to each other; a charge unit connected with the plurality of battery units and that supplies charging currents to the plurality of battery units; a discharge unit connected with the plurality of battery units, and that receives discharge currents from the plurality of battery units; and an equalization circuit connected with the charge unit and the discharge unit, and that applies the charging currents uniformly to the plurality of battery units and that makes the discharge currents uniformly flow from the plurality of battery units.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable backup power supply device in which a battery unit is divided.

  In a portable backup power supply device, if the battery unit is divided, each divided unit can be reduced in size and weight, and as a result, it can be easily transported manually even in the event of a disaster, for example. It becomes. Also, it is possible to initially introduce a small number of units according to the budget, and add them later to increase the capacity.

  However, if the battery unit is divided, unspecified battery units such as battery units having different battery levels or old and new battery units may be connected to each other. When battery units having different battery levels are connected in parallel to each other, a large current may flow through the battery units with a small remaining level, which may cause heat generation or ignition. In addition, when old and new battery units are mixed, it is difficult to identify individual battery units, which causes inconvenience during free repair guarantee and accident analysis. Furthermore, it may not be possible to know how many battery units are connected.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a storage battery system that can prevent a large current from flowing through some of the battery units connected in parallel to each other. In this storage battery system, the plurality of storage battery modules are divided into a plurality of groups, and the current paths of the storage battery modules belonging to each group are connected in parallel to form a plurality of group current paths. The plurality of group current paths are coupled in parallel to one another and connected to the charging / discharging device. A plurality of switching units of the circuit breaker are inserted into the plurality of group current paths, respectively. These switches are configured such that when one is opened, the rest is opened. Thereby, according to the storage battery system disclosed in Patent Document 1, when an overcurrent flows in one group of storage battery modules, it is possible to prevent the current from being concentrated in the storage battery modules of other groups and causing the rated capacity to be exceeded.

International Publication WO2014 / 049655

  However, according to the storage battery system described in Patent Document 1, when an overcurrent flows through one of a plurality of storage battery modules connected in parallel, all the storage battery modules are cut off. There has been a big problem in using it as a backup power supply device in which power supply is essential in an emergency or the like.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention can be used as a backup power supply device, and even when unspecified battery units are connected in parallel to each other, it is possible to reliably prevent a large current from flowing through some of the battery units. An object of the present invention is to provide a portable backup power supply device that can be used.

  According to the present invention, a portable backup power supply device includes a plurality of battery units connected in parallel to each other, a charging unit connected to the plurality of battery units and supplying a charging current to the plurality of battery units, A discharge unit that is connected to the battery unit and receives discharge currents from the plurality of battery units, and is connected to the charge unit and the discharge unit, so that the charge current flows evenly to the plurality of battery units and a plurality of batteries. And an equalization circuit for allowing the discharge current to flow evenly from the unit.

  The equalization circuit allows charging currents to flow evenly to a plurality of battery units and discharge currents to flow evenly from the plurality of battery units, so even when battery units with different remaining battery levels are connected, It is possible to reliably prevent a large current from flowing through some battery units.

  It is preferable that the equalization circuit includes a plurality of battery units and a plurality of diodes connected between the discharge units so that only currents flow from the plurality of battery units toward the discharge unit.

  It is also preferable that the equalization circuit includes a plurality of diodes connected between the charging unit and the plurality of battery units so that only current from the charging unit toward the plurality of battery units flows.

  In addition, the equalization circuit may include a plurality of constant current circuits that are connected between the charging unit and the plurality of battery units so that the constant current flows through the plurality of battery units and that can adjust the output current value. preferable.

  In this case, the equalization circuit further includes a circuit that detects the remaining battery level of the plurality of battery units, and a circuit that indicates the output current values of the plurality of constant current circuits according to the remaining battery level detected by the circuit. It is more preferable that it contains.

  After the plurality of battery units are connected to the charging unit and the discharging unit, the battery unit further includes an address assigning circuit that assigns an address to each of the plurality of battery units, and the plurality of battery units are managed by the addresses thus assigned. It is also preferable to be configured to do so.

  According to the present invention, even when battery units having different battery levels are connected, it is possible to reliably prevent a large current from flowing through some of the battery units.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a system configuration in an embodiment of a portable backup power supply device of the present invention. It is a figure which illustrates roughly the function of the equalization circuit in the portable backup power supply device of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an equalization circuit in the portable backup power supply device of FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the system configuration | structure in other embodiment of the portable backup power supply device of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates roughly the function of the equalization circuit in the portable backup power supply device of FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an equalization circuit in the portable backup power supply device of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of a communication circuit configuration using a communication bus in the portable backup power supply device of FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an address assignment circuit in the communication circuit configuration of FIG. 7. It is a figure which shows the time chart and flow of an address provision operation | movement in the address provision circuit of FIG. It is a figure which shows the flow of the communication operation | movement using the communication bus between a charge and control unit, and a battery unit.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a system configuration in one embodiment of a portable backup power supply device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 schematically explains the function of an equalization circuit in the portable backup power supply device. FIG. 3 schematically shows the configuration of this equalization circuit.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the portable backup power supply device of this embodiment includes battery units 10a to 10h each of which is composed of lithium ion batteries each having a capacity of about 0.55 kWh and connected in parallel to each other. A charging unit 11 and a discharging unit 12 connected to the units 10a to 10h are provided. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, four battery units 10a to 10d are stacked and arranged, and four battery units 10e to 10h are stacked and arranged. Although not shown in the figure, a charging unit 11 for supplying a charging current by AC / DC conversion of a commercial power supply of AC100V is mounted on the stacked battery units 10a to 10d, and the stacked batteries A discharge unit 12 is mounted on the units 10e to 10h to output the discharge current of AC 100V by DC / AC converting the output of the battery unit.

  The charging unit 11 may have a DC12V or 24V input terminal and a solar cell output input terminal in addition to the commercial power input terminal. As an example only, each of the battery units 10a to 10h has a width of about 320 mm, a length of about 506 mm, a height of about 64 mm, and a weight of about 12.0 kg. The charging unit 11 has a width of about 320 mm, a length of about 512 mm, and a height. The discharge unit 12 has a width of about 320 mm, a length of about 542 mm, a height of about 126.5 mm, and a weight of about 12.0 kg.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the present embodiment, equalization circuits including diodes 16 a, 16 c, and 16 e are connected between the charging unit 11 and the battery units 10 a to 10 c, respectively. Between the battery units 10a to 10c and the discharge unit 12, an equalization circuit composed of diodes 16b, 16d and 16f is connected. As shown in FIG. 3, the directions of the diodes 16a, 16c, and 16e are set so that only current flows from the charging unit 11 to the battery units 10a to 10c, and the diodes 16b, 16d, and 16f are batteries. The direction is set so that only the current from the units 10a to 10c in the direction of the discharge unit 12 flows. By connecting such a diode, it is possible to prevent a large current from flowing between the battery units due to the remaining battery level. That is, it is possible to prevent a large current from flowing from the battery unit 10a having a high battery voltage to the battery unit 10b having a low battery voltage by connecting the diode having such a direction to the charge side circuit and the discharge side circuit. In addition, the charging current of the battery unit (battery unit 10b) having a small remaining battery level and a low battery voltage is increased, and the charging current of the battery unit (battery unit 10a) having a large remaining battery level and a high battery voltage is decreased.

  2 and 3, only some of the battery units 10a to 10c are shown, but an equalization circuit is similarly connected to the other battery units 10d to 10h, and the same function and effect are obtained. Is obtained.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the diodes 16a, 16c, and 16e serve as an equalization circuit between the charging unit 11 and the battery units 10a to 10c in the direction from the charging unit 11 to the battery units 10a to 10c. The direction is set so as to allow only the current to flow through, and they are connected to each other, and diodes 16b, 16d, and 16f are connected from the battery units 10a to 10c as equalization circuits between the battery units 10a to 10c and the discharge unit 12, respectively. Since the direction is set so that only the current flows in the direction of the discharge unit 12 and the respective connections are made, it is possible to reliably prevent a large current from flowing from a battery unit having a high battery voltage to a battery unit having a low battery voltage. , Safety is greatly enhanced.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows the system configuration of another embodiment of the portable backup power supply device of the present invention, and FIG. 5 schematically explains the function of the equalization circuit in this portable backup power supply device. FIG. 6 schematically shows the configuration of this equalization circuit.

  Although not shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment as well, the battery units 10a to 10h connected in parallel to each other and the battery units 10a to 10h are connected in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. A charging and control unit 11 ′ and a discharging unit 12 are provided. Since the configurations of the battery units 10a to 10h and the discharge unit 12 are the same as those of the embodiment of FIG. 1 except for an equalization circuit described below, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, an external communication module 13 is further provided. The battery units 10a to 10h, the charge and control unit 11 ', the discharge unit 12, and the external communication module 13 are a power supply bus 14 and an inter-unit communication bus. 15 is connected in parallel. Further, a new battery unit 10i made of, for example, a fuel cell can be additionally connected.

  The charging and control unit 11 ′ in the present embodiment is configured by providing a bus management unit to the charging unit 11 in the embodiment of FIG. 1, and this unit is connected to the battery units 10 a to 10 i via an inter-unit communication bus 15. A communication circuit for communicating with the bus management unit is provided. As will be described later, the battery units 10a to 10i are configured to be given an address for the first time in an address assignment mode executed when the portable backup power supply device is activated.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the present embodiment, equalization circuits including constant current converters 56a, 56c, and 56e are provided between the charging and control unit 11 ′ and the battery units 10a to 10c, respectively. An equalization circuit including diodes 56b, 56d, and 56f is connected between the battery units 10a to 10c and the discharge unit 12, respectively. As shown in FIG. 5, the constant current converters 56a, 56c, and 56e are connected to the current value instructed from the computer 57 provided in the charging and control unit 11 'via the communication line 58 (inter-unit communication bus 15). The charging current to each of the units 10a to 10c is controlled. The computer 57 grasps the remaining battery level of the battery units 10a to 10c by communication via the inter-unit communication bus 15, and determines and indicates the current value according to the remaining battery level. The directions of the diodes 56b, 56d, and 56f are set so that only the current from the battery units 10a to 10c to the discharge unit 12 flows. By connecting such a constant current converter and a diode, it is possible to prevent a large current from flowing between the battery units due to the remaining battery level. That is, by connecting a constant current converter whose current value is controlled to the charging side circuit, the remaining battery levels of the battery units are controlled to be equal to each other, and from the battery unit 10a having a higher battery voltage to the battery having a lower battery voltage. A large current can be prevented from flowing to the unit 10b. In addition, the charging current of the battery unit (battery unit 10b) having a small remaining battery level and a low battery voltage is increased, and the charging current of the battery unit (battery unit 10a) having a large remaining battery level and a high battery voltage is decreased. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent a large current from flowing from the battery unit 10a having a high battery voltage to the battery unit 10b having a low battery voltage by connecting the diode having the above-described direction to the discharge side circuit. Furthermore, the discharge current of the battery unit (battery unit 10b) having a low battery level and a low battery voltage is reduced, and the discharge current of the battery unit (battery unit 10a) having a high battery level and a high battery voltage is increased.

  4 and 5, only some of the battery units 10a to 10c are shown, but an equalization circuit is similarly connected to the other battery units 10d to 10h, and the same function and effect are obtained. Is obtained.

  By using a constant current converter as the equalizing circuit, it is possible to prevent a loss due to a forward voltage drop (about 0.5 to 1.0 V) when a diode is used.

  Of course, a constant current converter whose current value is controlled may be provided as an equalizing circuit on the discharge side.

  FIG. 7 schematically shows an example of a communication circuit configuration using a communication bus in the portable backup power supply device of this embodiment, and FIG. 8 schematically shows the configuration of an address assignment circuit in this communication circuit configuration. FIG. 9 shows a time chart and a flow of the address assigning operation in this address assigning circuit.

  The bus management unit 70 shown in FIG. 7 is provided in the charging and control unit 10 ′. The bus management unit 70 and the communication circuit 72 of the battery unit 10 a, for example, are a data transmission / reception bus of the inter-unit communication bus 15. 71 is configured to be able to transmit and receive data via 71. The bus management unit 70 is provided with a board 70a of the computer 57 and a full-duplex driver 70b. The computer 57 is connected to the data transmission / reception bus 71 via the board 70a and the driver 70b. The communication circuit 72 of the battery unit 10a includes a full-duplex driver 72a, a computer 72b, a battery voltage measuring unit 72c corresponding to a circuit for detecting the remaining battery level of the battery unit 10a, and an address assigning flip-flop. 72d. The communication circuit 73 of the battery unit 10b is provided with a full-duplex driver 73a, a computer 73b, a battery voltage measuring unit 73c of the battery unit 10b, and a flip-flop 73d for giving an address. In other battery units, a similar communication circuit is provided.

  As described above, the battery units 10a to 10i in the present embodiment do not have predetermined unique addresses, and these battery units 10a to 10i are connected to the power supply bus 14 and the inter-unit communication bus 15, The address is given by the bus manager 70 of the charging and control unit 11 '. After the address is assigned, the battery units 10a to 10i perform data transmission / reception using the assigned address. In addition, by this address assignment, the bus management unit 70 can surely grasp the connected battery units including how many battery units are connected.

  Next, the address assignment operation of each battery unit will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the address assignment control line 77 of the inter-unit communication bus 15 is connected to the GPIO1 to GPIO4 terminals of the board 70a, and the address assignment control line 77 has an address assignment of each battery unit. Flip-flops 72d to 76d for use are connected.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the computer 57 of the bus management unit 70 controls the voltages of the GPIO1 to GPIO3 terminals to control the Qs of the address assignment flip-flops (D-type flip-flops) 72d to 76d of each battery unit. The outputs EN1 to EN5 are sequentially set to level “1”. When the Q output becomes level “1”, the battery unit can communicate with the bus management unit 70. For example, when the Q output EN1 becomes level “1”, the communication circuit 72 of the battery unit 10a uses the connection data transmission / reception bus 71 connected to the DI, DO, RO, and R / E terminals of the board 70a. Thus, communication with the bus management unit 70 becomes possible. In this state, an address is assigned to the battery unit from the bus management unit 70. Similarly, when an address is assigned to all battery units and an address is assigned to the terminal battery unit, the control line of the GPIO4 terminal changes from level “0” to level “1”. Can know that addresses have been assigned to all the battery units, and can know the number of battery units connected.

  FIG. 9B illustrates the processing flow of address assignment described above. That is, while the Q output ENn of the battery unit n is level “1” (High), the battery unit n requests address assignment, the bus management unit 70 assigns an address, and the battery unit n acknowledges (ACK). Address assignment is performed by the procedure of performing.

  Next, refer to FIG. 10 for data transmission / reception between the battery unit n to which the address is assigned as described above and the bus management unit 70, for example, the remaining battery level, the set current value of the constant current converter, and the like. I will explain. As the communication protocol, for example, an asynchronous start / stop method is used.

  FIG. 10A shows a processing flow of data transmission from the bus management unit 70 to the battery unit n. First, the address n and the command are sent from the bus management unit 70 to the battery unit n, and the battery unit n returns ACK. Next, m-byte data, for example, set current value data of the constant current converter of the battery unit is sent from the bus management unit 70 to the battery unit n, and the battery unit n returns ACK.

  FIG. 10B shows a processing flow for requesting data from the bus management unit 70 to the battery unit n. First, the address n and the command are sent from the bus management unit 70 to the battery unit n, and the battery unit n returns ACK. Next, m-byte data, for example, remaining battery data of the battery unit is sent from the battery unit n to the bus management unit 70, and the bus management unit 70 returns ACK.

  FIG. 10C shows a processing flow of data transmission from the battery unit n to the bus management unit 70. First, the address 0 and the number of transmission data are sent from the battery unit n to the bus management unit 70, and the bus management unit 70 returns ACK. Next, m-byte data, for example, remaining battery data of the battery unit is sent from the battery unit n to the bus management unit 70, and the bus management unit 70 returns ACK. Thereafter, a 1-byte checksum is sent from the battery unit n to the bus management unit 70, and the bus management unit 70 returns ACK or NACK.

  In the above description, full-duplex drivers are used as the drivers 70b and 71a of the inter-unit communication bus 72, but it is obvious that half-duplex drivers may be used instead. .

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the constant current converter 56a in which the current value is set according to the remaining battery level as an equalization circuit between the charging and control unit 11 ′ and the battery units 10a to 10c. 56c and 56e are connected to each other, and the diodes 16b, 16d, and 16f serve as an equalization circuit between the battery units 10a to 10c and the discharge unit 12, and only current in the direction from the battery units 10a to 10c to the discharge unit 12 is supplied. Since the direction is set so as to flow, and they are respectively connected, it is possible to reliably prevent a large current from flowing from a battery unit having a high battery voltage to a battery unit having a low battery voltage, and the safety is greatly enhanced. Further, the constant current converters 56a, 56c, and 56e perform equalization charging so that the remaining battery levels are equal during charging. Further, according to this embodiment, since the battery unit does not have a unique address and addressing is performed after the battery unit is connected, the connected battery including how many battery units are connected is included. The unit can be grasped reliably.

  All the embodiments described above are illustrative of the present invention and are not intended to be limiting, and the present invention can be implemented in other various modifications and changes. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and their equivalents.

10a to 10i Battery unit 11 Charging unit 11 'Charging and control unit 12 Discharging unit 13 External communication module 14 Power supply bus 15 Inter-unit communication bus 16a to 16f, 56b, 56d, 56f Diode 56a to 56c Constant current converter 57, 72b, 73b Computer 58 Communication line 70 Bus management unit 71 Data transmission / reception bus 70a Board 70b, 72a, 73a Full duplex driver 72 Communication circuit 72c, 73c Battery voltage measurement unit 72d-76d Flip-flop 77 Address assignment control line

Claims (6)

  A plurality of battery units connected in parallel to each other, a charging unit connected to the plurality of battery units and supplying charging current to the plurality of battery units, and a plurality of battery units connected to the plurality of battery units A discharge unit that receives a discharge current from the battery unit, and the charge unit and the discharge unit are connected, and the charge current is allowed to flow evenly through the plurality of battery units and the discharge current is equally supplied from the plurality of battery units. A portable backup power supply device comprising an equalizing circuit for flowing.   The equalization circuit includes a plurality of diodes connected between the plurality of battery units and the discharge unit so as to allow only current from the plurality of battery units to flow toward the discharge unit. The portable backup power supply device according to claim 1.   The equalization circuit includes a plurality of diodes connected between the charging unit and the plurality of battery units so that only current from the charging unit toward the plurality of battery units flows. The portable backup power supply device according to claim 2.   The equalization circuit includes a plurality of constant current circuits that are connected between the charging unit and the plurality of battery units so that a constant current flows through the plurality of battery units and that can adjust an output current value. The portable backup power supply device according to claim 2.   The equalization circuit further includes a circuit that detects remaining battery levels of the plurality of battery units, and a circuit that indicates output current values of the plurality of constant current circuits in accordance with the remaining battery levels detected by the circuits. The portable backup power supply device according to claim 4, wherein the portable backup power supply device is included.   After the plurality of battery units are connected to the charging unit and the discharge unit, the battery unit further includes an address assigning circuit that assigns an address to each of the plurality of battery units, and the plurality of battery units are provided. 6. The portable backup power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the portable backup power supply device is configured to be managed by an address.

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