JP2019007804A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable a more correct remaining use time to be displayed even when a change of power consumption attributable to a temperature rise of a power supply cable occurs.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus (101) for receiving electric power from a battery pack via a power supply cable comprises: timer means for setting a prescribed time; means for detecting the temperature of a DC/DC converter that the power supply cable has; means for acquiring the remaining amount value of the battery pack; means for acquiring the actual power consumption value of the battery pack; means for calculating a remaining use time from the remaining amount value and the actual power consumption value; means for generating a data table per temperature of the remaining amount value and the actual power consumption value after the lapse of the prescribed time; means for storing the data table; means for referring to the data table and calculating an estimated remaining use time; and display means for displaying the estimated remaining use time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device that receives power from a battery pack via a power cable.

  The output voltage of the battery pack decreases as the remaining amount decreases, but most electronic devices have a constant power load, and when power is supplied via the power cable, the output current from the battery pack increases and the power cable The loss of will also increase.

  For such a loss, there is a method of obtaining the remaining usable time by obtaining the actual power consumption from the voltage and discharge current of the battery pack (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-15780 A

  As a method of supplying electric power from a battery pack to an electronic device, there is a case where a power cable has a boosting function such as a DC / DC converter. When the power supply cable has a boosting function, a stable voltage can be supplied to the electronic device, and an effect of suppressing a voltage drop with respect to the rush current when the electronic device is driven can be expected. On the other hand, since the conversion efficiency of boosting of the DC / DC converter largely fluctuates due to the temperature rise during use, the loss in the power cable fluctuates and an error occurs when calculating the remaining usage time from the remaining battery pack capacity. It was a factor that caused.

  In the method described in Patent Document 1, when the fluctuation of power consumption caused by this temperature rise occurs, the remaining usage time cannot be corrected appropriately.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device capable of displaying a more correct remaining usage time even if a change in power consumption accompanying a temperature rise of a power cable occurs.

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention provides:
An electronic device that receives power from a battery pack via a power cable, the timer means for setting a predetermined time, the means for detecting the temperature of a DC / DC converter included in the power cable, and the remaining battery pack Means for obtaining a quantity value; means for obtaining an actual power consumption value of the battery pack; means for calculating a remaining usage time from the remaining amount value and the actual power consumption value; and the predetermined time for each temperature. Means for generating a data table of the remaining amount value and the actual power consumption value over time, means for storing the data table, means for calculating an estimated remaining usage time with reference to the data table, Display means for displaying the estimated remaining usage time.

  According to the electronic device of the present invention, it is possible to display a more correct remaining usage time even if the power consumption changes due to the temperature rise of the power cable.

3 is a block diagram for explaining an example of components included in an electronic device 101, a power cable 113, and a battery pack 123 in Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the electronic apparatus 101. It is a sub-flowchart for demonstrating communication data 1 acquisition. It is a subflowchart for demonstrating W1 calculation. It is a subflowchart for demonstrating use remaining time t1 calculation. It is a subflowchart for demonstrating communication data 2 acquisition. It is a sub-flowchart for explaining W2 calculation. It is a sub-flowchart for demonstrating calculation of remaining use time t2. It is a sub-flowchart for demonstrating estimation use remaining time tr calculation. It is a figure which shows the example of the data table which memorize | stored the relationship between temperature, elapsed time, actual power consumption, and residual amount. It is a figure for demonstrating the example which additionally produces | generates the data table of 15 degreeC by piecewise linear interpolation. 6 is a block diagram for explaining an example of components included in an electronic device 201, a power cable 203, and a battery pack 206 in Embodiment 2. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining examples of components included in the electronic apparatus 101, the power cable 113, and the battery pack 123 in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 101 includes a control unit 102, a calculation unit 103, a storage unit 104, a temperature detection unit 105, a communication unit 106, a power supply unit 107, a display unit 108, a communication terminal 109, a temperature terminal 110, a positive electrode. A terminal 111 and a negative terminal 112 are provided. However, the calculation unit 103, the storage unit 104, the temperature detection unit 105, and the communication unit 106 are included in the control unit 102.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the power cable 113 includes a DC / DC converter 114, a temperature sensitive element 115 (eg, a thermistor), a communication terminal 116, a temperature terminal 117, a positive terminal 118, a negative terminal 119, a communication terminal 120, and a positive terminal. 121 and a negative electrode terminal 122.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the battery pack 123 includes a control unit 124, a calculation unit 125, a voltage detection unit 126, a temperature detection unit 127, a current detection unit 128, a storage unit 129, a communication unit 130, and a temperature sensitive element 131 (example: A thermistor), a battery portion 132, a resistor 133, a communication terminal 134, a positive terminal 135, and a negative terminal 136. However, the calculation unit 125, the voltage detection unit 126, the temperature detection unit 127, the current detection unit 128, the storage unit 129, and the communication unit 130 are included in the control unit 124.

  The electronic device 101 is a device having a display unit, such as a digital camera or a video camera, and operates by receiving power supply from the battery pack 123.

  The battery pack 123 includes a control unit 124, a battery unit 132, and peripheral circuits. The battery pack 123 supplies power to the electronic device 101 from the positive terminal 135 and the negative terminal 136, and charges the battery unit 132 by receiving power from a charger (not shown). Further, the battery pack 123 outputs the data of the communication unit 130 of the control unit 124 to the communication terminal 134 and is connected to the communication terminal 109 of the electronic device 101 via the communication terminals 120 and 116 of the power cable 113, thereby 101 is enabled for communication.

  The voltage detection unit 126 of the battery pack 123 detects the voltage of the battery unit 132. Since the output current of the battery unit 132 is supplied to the outside through the resistor 133, the voltage at both ends of the resistor 133 is detected by the current detection unit 128 and determined as the output current value. Since the charging current of the battery unit 132 is supplied via the resistor 133, the voltage at both ends of the resistor 133 is detected by the current detection unit 128 and determined as the charging current value. The voltage value of the battery unit 132 detected by the voltage detection unit 126 and the output current or charging current value detected by the current detection unit 128 are output from the communication unit 130 in response to a request from the electronic device 101. .

  The computing unit 125 calculates the remaining amount of the battery unit 132 by integrating the output current and the charging current value of the battery unit 132 with time, and further stores the remaining amount in the storage unit 129 as the remaining amount value.

  The temperature sensing element 131 of the battery pack 123 is arranged so as to be able to detect the temperature of the battery part 132, and the state of the temperature sensing element 131 is detected by the temperature detection part 127. The temperature information detected by the temperature detection unit 127 is used for protection by controlling a switch (not shown) inserted in series between the battery unit 132 and the positive electrode terminal 134 or the negative electrode terminal 136. The temperature information is used for correction control of the remaining amount in the calculation unit 125.

  A general characteristic seen in the battery part 132 is a change in discharge efficiency due to the temperature environment of the battery part 132. For example, since the discharge efficiency of the battery unit decreases in a low temperature environment, the remaining amount of data that is the basis is multiplied by a predetermined temperature coefficient to calculate the remaining amount that can be output in that temperature environment. The calculated remaining amount data is stored in the storage unit 129 and output from the communication unit 130 in response to a request from the electronic device 101.

  Communication data transmitted from the communication unit 130 of the battery pack 123 is output to the communication terminal 134 and input to the communication terminal 109 of the electronic apparatus 101 via the communication terminals 120 and 116 of the power cable 113. Communication data input to the communication terminal 109 of the electronic device 101 is transmitted to the communication unit 106 of the control unit 102, and the remaining usage time is calculated by the calculation unit 103. By displaying the calculated remaining usage time on the display unit 108 built in the electronic device 101, the user can obtain the remaining usage time information of the battery pack 123.

  The power cable 113 is a cable for supplying power of the battery unit 132 of the battery pack 123 to the electronic device 101.

  The positive terminal 135 of the battery pack 123 is connected to the positive terminal 121 of the power cable 113. The negative electrode terminal 136 of the battery pack 123 is connected to the negative electrode terminal 122 of the power cable 113.

  The voltage of the battery unit 132 supplied between the positive terminal 121 and the negative terminal 122 of the power cable 113 is boosted to a predetermined voltage by the DC / DC converter 114 and applied to the positive terminal 111 and the negative terminal 112 of the electronic device 101. Supplied. The power supplied from the power cable 113 is supplied from the power supply unit 107 to all the components of the electronic device 101.

  When the temperature rises with the operation of the DC / DC converter 114, the voltage conversion efficiency greatly fluctuates. This fluctuation in the voltage conversion efficiency becomes a problem as an error in the remaining usage time when calculating the remaining usage time from the remaining amount data transmitted by the battery pack 123 and information on the power consumption. Therefore, in the first embodiment, a method for correcting the remaining usage time when the power of the battery pack 123 is boosted by the DC / DC converter 114 of the power cable 113 and supplied to the electronic device 101 will be described.

  A temperature sensitive element 115 for detecting the temperature of the DC / DC converter 114 of the power cable 113 is provided and connected to the temperature terminal 117. The temperature terminal 117 of the power cable 113 is connected to the temperature terminal 110 of the electronic device 101, and the temperature of the DC / DC converter 114 is detected by the temperature detection unit 105 of the control unit 102.

  The calculation unit 103 of the control unit 102 calculates the actual power consumption value from the voltage data and current data transmitted from the communication unit 130 of the battery pack 123, and the temperature data of the DC / DC converter 114 detected by the temperature detection unit 105. Is stored in the storage unit 104. The stored data is generated as a data table of remaining amount and actual power consumption for each temperature of the DC / DC converter 114. A data table is generated and stored each time the temperature state becomes a condition different from the predetermined temperature.

  Next, an estimated remaining time display flow performed by the electronic device 101 will be described.

  The electronic device 101 measures the temperature of the DC / DC converter 114 at the time of startup, and acquires remaining amount data, voltage data, and current data from the battery pack 123.

  The electronic device 101 calculates the actual power consumption value by multiplying the voltage data and the current data. Further, by dividing the acquired remaining amount data (Wh) by the calculated actual power consumption value, the first remaining usage time is calculated and displayed on the display unit 108.

  Next, with reference to the data table stored in the storage unit 104, data that can be estimated for fluctuations in power consumption at the acquired temperature of the DC / DC converter 114 is searched.

  If there is a data table necessary for estimating the remaining usage time at the obtained temperature of the DC / DC converter 114, the estimated remaining usage time is calculated by estimating the subsequent fluctuations in power consumption based on the referenced data table. Display.

  When there is no data table necessary for estimating the remaining usage time at the acquired temperature of the DC / DC converter 114, the remaining usage time is calculated and displayed by a conventional calculation method.

  Hereinafter, an operation example of the electronic apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG.

  2, S101 is START, S102 is timer 1 start, S103 is temperature data T1 acquisition, S104 is communication data 1 acquisition, S105 is W1 calculation, S106 is used remaining time t1 calculation, S107 is stored in memory, S108 is display Is a display. S109 is timer 1 time-out, S110 is timer 2 start, S111 is temperature data T2 acquisition, S112 is communication data 2 acquisition, S113 is data table presence, S114 is W2 calculation, S115 is calculation of remaining use time t2, S116 is stored in memory It is. S117 is displayed on the display unit, S118 is timer 2 timeout, and S119 is calculation of estimated remaining use time tr.

  When driving power is supplied to the electronic device 101, control is started in S101. In S102, a timer 1 for a predetermined time for setting communication is started. In S103, the temperature data T1 of the DC / DC converter is acquired.

  The process proceeds from S104 to the substep of FIG. In S104, communication data 1 is acquired. In SS101, the remaining amount RC1 is acquired from the battery pack 123. In SS102, the voltage V1 is acquired from the battery pack 123. In SS103, the current I1 is acquired from the battery pack 123. The process proceeds from SS103 to S105.

  The process proceeds from S105 to the substep of FIG. In S105, the actual power consumption W1 is calculated. In SS201, the actual power consumption W1 is calculated by W1 = V1 × I1. The process proceeds from SS201 to S106.

  The process proceeds from S106 to the substep of FIG. In S106, the remaining usage time t1 is calculated. In SS301, the remaining usage time t1 is calculated by t1 = RC1 / W1. The process proceeds from SS301 to S107.

  In S <b> 107, acquired data of the temperature data T <b> 1, actual power consumption W <b> 1, and / or communication data 1 is stored in the storage unit 104 of the electronic device 101. Using the temperature data T1, the communication data 1, and / or the actual power consumption W1 stored in S107, a data table at the start temperature T1 is generated.

  In S <b> 108, information on the remaining usage time t <b> 1 is displayed on the display unit 108. In S109, the process waits until the timer 1 times out. When the timer 1 times out in S109, the process proceeds to S110.

  In S110, a timer 2 for a predetermined time for setting communication is started. In S111, the temperature data T2 of the DC / DC converter is acquired.

  The process proceeds from S112 to the substep of FIG. In S112, communication data 2 is acquired. In SS401, the remaining amount RC2 is acquired from the battery pack 123. In SS402, the voltage V2 is acquired from the battery pack 123. In SS403, the current I2 is acquired from the battery pack 123. The process proceeds from SS403 to S113. In S113, presence / absence detection of the data table is performed. In S113, when there is no data table for performing piecewise linear interpolation at the temperature T2 in the storage unit 104, the process proceeds to S114.

  The process proceeds from S114 to the substep of FIG. In S114, the actual power consumption W2 is calculated. In SS501, the actual power consumption W2 is calculated by W2 = V2 × I2. The process proceeds from SS501 to S115.

  The process proceeds from S115 to the substep of FIG. In S115, the remaining usage time t2 is calculated. In SS601, the remaining usage time t2 is calculated by t2 = RC2 / W2. The process proceeds from SS601 to S116. In S <b> 116, acquired data of the temperature data T <b> 2, actual power consumption W <b> 2, and / or communication data 2 is stored in the storage unit 104 of the electronic device 101. Using the temperature data T2 and communication data 2 stored in S116, a data table after the timer 1 elapsed time at the start temperature T1 is generated.

  In S117, information on the remaining usage time t2 is displayed on the display unit. In S118, the process waits until the timer 2 times out. When the timer 2 times out in S118, the process returns to S102.

  A series of flow from S102 to S118 is continuously performed until the operation of the electronic device 101 is completed.

  In S113, when the storage unit 104 has a data table for performing piecewise linear interpolation at the temperature T2, the process proceeds from S119 to the substep of FIG. In S119, the estimated remaining use time tr is calculated. In SS701, data on temperature T2 is referred to. The data table is referenced in SS702. Here, an example of the data table referred to in SS 702 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 shows an example of a data table that stores the relationship between elapsed time, actual power consumption, and remaining amount when the temperature is 5 ° C., 25 ° C., or 40 ° C.

  When the data table of FIG. 10 is generated, data acquisition is performed at 10-minute intervals. The battery unit 132 has a full charge capacity of 3.0 Wh. When the start temperature is 5 ° C., the actual power consumption at the start is 1.95 W, the actual power consumption 10 minutes after the start is 1.93 W, and the actual power consumption 20 minutes after the start is 1.90 W. When the start temperature is 5 ° C., the remaining amount RC becomes 0 after 90 minutes, and the discharge is completed. When the start temperature is 25 ° C., the actual power consumption at the start is 1.85 W, the actual power consumption after 10 minutes from the start is 1.87 W, and the actual power consumption after 20 minutes from the start is 1.90 W. When the start temperature is 25 ° C., the remaining amount RC becomes 0 after 86 minutes, and the discharge is completed. The electronic device 101 that generates the data table of FIG. 10 acquires communication data when the remaining amount RC becomes 0, and can generate a data table when the remaining amount is 0.

  In SS703, power consumption interpolation of the data table is performed.

  Next, an example of piecewise linear interpolation in the data table of FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIG. When the temperature data from the battery pack is 15 ° C., a data table at 15 ° C. is generated by piecewise linear interpolation calculation. At this time, data at 5 ° C. and 25 ° C. in the data table are adopted. First, since there is an actual power consumption value after 86 minutes at 25 ° C. and not 5 ° C., an estimated power consumption value at 5 ° C. is calculated. FIG. 11 shows an example of how to obtain the estimated power consumption at 5 ° C. after 86 minutes. At 5 ° C., it is 2.29 W after 80 minutes and 2.49 W after 90 minutes, so the estimated power consumption value after 86 minutes is 2.29 + ((2.49−2.29) × (6/10) ) And is estimated to be 2.41 W.

  In SS704, the estimated power consumption at the temperature T2 is calculated. In the example of FIG. 11, the estimated power consumption at 15 ° C. is obtained. In the example of FIG. 11, an example of how to obtain the estimated power consumption 40 minutes after the start of discharge is shown. Since the actual power consumption at 5 ° C. is 1.90 W and the actual power consumption at 25 ° C. is 2.00 W after 40 minutes from the start of discharge, the estimated power consumption value at 15 ° C. is 2.00 + ((1.90− 2.00) / 2) and is estimated to be 1.950 W. Similarly, an estimated power consumption value at 10-minute intervals is obtained and stored in the storage unit 104.

In SS705, the estimated remaining amount at the temperature T2 is calculated. In the example of FIG. 11, an example of how to obtain the estimated remaining amount 40 minutes after the start of discharge is shown.
The estimated power consumption 30 minutes after the start of discharge is 1.910 W, and the estimated remaining amount is 2.049 Wh. Moreover, since the estimated power consumption 40 minutes after the start of discharge is 1.950 W, the estimated remaining amount 40 minutes after the start of discharge is 2.049 − ((1.910+ (1.950−1.910) / 2. ) / 6) and is estimated to be 1.727 Wh. Similarly, an estimated remaining amount value at intervals of 10 minutes is obtained and stored in the storage unit 104.

  In SS706, the estimated remaining usage time is calculated. Here, the estimated time until the estimated remaining amount becomes 0 and the discharge ends is obtained. In the example of FIG. 11, since the estimated remaining amount after 80 minutes is 0.323 Wh, an example of how to obtain the estimated remaining time after 80 minutes is shown. Since the estimated power consumption after 80 minutes is 2.415 W and the estimated power consumption after 86 minutes is 2.635 W, the estimated power consumption after 80 minutes is 2.415 + ((2.635-2.415 ) / 2), which is estimated to be 2.525W. Since the estimated remaining amount after 80 minutes is 0.323 Wh, the estimated remaining time after 80 minutes is (0.323 / 2.525) × 60, which is estimated to be about 7 minutes. Therefore, the estimated remaining time from the fully charged state at 15 ° C. is 1 hour and 27 minutes. If a general remaining amount display is performed from a fully charged state at a temperature of 15 ° C., it is calculated as 3.0 Wh / 1.900 W and is displayed for 1 hour and 34 minutes.

  By performing the estimated remaining time display of the first embodiment, it is possible to improve the error of the remaining used time display by about 7 minutes.

  Note that the data acquisition interval may be appropriately changed according to the remaining amount of the battery unit. By shortening the data acquisition interval according to the decrease in the remaining amount, the remaining usage time can be estimated with higher accuracy.

  In addition, even if the remaining amount and actual power consumption calculated from the acquired communication data do not match the estimated remaining amount and estimated power consumption data of the generated data table, the remaining usage time can be determined by referring to the data table. Display accuracy can be improved.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. In the second embodiment, parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram for explaining an example of components included in the electronic apparatus 201, the power cable 203, and the battery pack 206 in the second embodiment. In FIG. 12, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  As illustrated in FIG. 12, the electronic device 201 includes a calculation unit 103, a storage unit 104, a communication unit 106, a power supply unit 107, a display unit 108, a communication terminal 109, a positive terminal 111, a negative terminal 112, and a control unit 202. However, the calculation unit 103, the storage unit 104, and the communication unit 106 are included in the control unit 202.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the power cable 203 includes a DC / DC converter 114, a communication terminal 116, a positive electrode terminal 118, a negative electrode terminal 119, a communication terminal 120, a positive electrode terminal 121, a negative electrode terminal 122, a temperature sensing element 204 (eg, thermistor). ) And a temperature terminal 205.

  As illustrated in FIG. 12, the battery pack 206 includes a calculation unit 125, a voltage detection unit 126, a current detection unit 128, a storage unit 129, a communication unit 130, a temperature sensing element 131 (eg, thermistor), a battery unit 132, a resistor. 133, a communication terminal 134, a positive terminal 135, a negative terminal 136, a control unit 207, a temperature detection unit 208, and a temperature terminal 209. However, the calculation unit 125, the voltage detection unit 126, the current detection unit 128, the storage unit 129, the communication unit 130, and the temperature detection unit 208 are included in the control unit 207.

  The temperature sensing element 204 that senses the temperature of the DC / DC converter 114 is electrically connected to the temperature terminal 205. The temperature terminal 205 is connected to the temperature terminal 209 of the battery pack 206 and is connected to the temperature detection unit 208 in the control unit 207 of the battery pack 206. The temperature detection unit 208 detects the temperature of the battery unit 132 and also detects the temperature of the DC / DC converter 114 of the power cable 203 and transmits it to the calculation unit 125.

  The calculation unit 125 protects the temperature of the battery unit 132 based on the temperature information of the temperature sensing element 131 of the first embodiment, corrects the remaining temperature, and further uses the temperature information of the temperature sensing element 204 to perform the data table described in the first embodiment. Is generated and transmitted to the storage unit 129. The storage unit 129 stores data table information from the calculation unit 125.

  After the electronic device 201 starts operation, the control unit 207 of the battery pack 206 refers to the data table of the storage unit 129 and can calculate the estimated remaining usage time of the temperature of the temperature sensing element 204 at the start of operation. Calculates the estimated remaining usage time from the estimated remaining amount and the estimated power consumption. The estimated remaining usage time data is output from the communication unit 130, transmitted to the communication unit 106 of the electronic device 201, transmitted from the control unit 202 to the display unit 108, and displayed.

  After the electronic device 201 starts operation, the control unit 207 of the battery pack 206 refers to the data table of the storage unit 129, and if the estimated remaining usage time of the temperature at the start of operation cannot be calculated, the remaining amount and actual consumption The remaining usage time is calculated from the power. The remaining usage time data is output from the communication unit 130 and transmitted to the communication terminal 109 of the electronic device 201 via the communication terminals 134, 120, and 116. The remaining usage time information transmitted from the communication terminal 109 to the communication unit 106 is transmitted from the control unit 202 to the display unit 108 and displayed.

  The data table generation flow, remaining usage time calculation flow, and estimated remaining usage time calculation flow in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and are therefore omitted.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described first and second embodiments, and the above-described first and second embodiments may be changed or modified within the scope of the gist of the invention.

101 electronic device, 108 display unit, 113 power cable,
114 DC / DC converter, 115 thermistor, 123 battery pack,
132 battery part, 201 electronic device, 203 power cable, 206 battery pack

Claims (3)

An electronic device that receives power from a battery pack via a power cable,
Timer means for setting a predetermined time;
Means for detecting the temperature of the DC / DC converter of the power cable;
Means for obtaining a remaining capacity value of the battery pack;
Means for obtaining an actual power consumption value of the battery pack;
Means for calculating a remaining usage time from the remaining amount value and the actual power consumption value;
Means for generating a data table of the remaining amount value and the actual power consumption value in the elapse of the predetermined time for each temperature;
Means for storing the data table;
Means for calculating an estimated remaining usage time with reference to the data table;
Display means for displaying the estimated remaining usage time;
An electronic device comprising:   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein when the estimated remaining usage time cannot be calculated from the data table, the display unit displays the remaining usage time.   The said battery pack has a means to detect the temperature of the said DC / DC converter, and a means by which the said battery pack produces | generates and stores the said data table, The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Electronic equipment.