JP3822563B2 - Charging stand, charging system, and charging service providing method - Google Patents

Description

以上のような電極仕様で、設計公称容量１８００ｍＡｈの円筒形リチウムイオン二次電池（１８６５０サイズ（直径１８ｍｍ、高さ６５ｍｍ））を組み立てた。
【００３０】
なお、電極群６６の平均直径は１７．４ｍｍとなり金属電池容器６４の内径が１７．５６ｍｍである事から見かけ上接する部位は、該容器内側面円周部ほぼ全周となる。
【００３１】
このように構成された高速充電電池２１は、１〜５分程度で５０〜８０％程度の容量まで充電できる電池であり、充電レートは６０Ｃ〜１２Ｃ程度である。また、本電池の外観形状は円筒形を特定するものではなく、例えばアルミラミネート型電池やアルミ缶電池などの角型電池でも良い。このような高速充電電池の構成では、電池のサイズで若干変わるが概ね定格容量は角型電池では１０００ｍＡｈ以下、円筒形電池では２０００ｍＡｈ以下となる。
【００３２】
また、このような構成により、高速に充電可能で、かつ安全性及び長期信頼性に優れた充電電池が実現される。
【００３３】
図３は充電スタンド３の詳細な構成の一例を示す図である。図３に示すように、処理回路３１にインタフェース３１ａを介して表示装置３２、入力装置３３、充電器本体３４、カード読取／書込装置３５、貨幣金額検知装置３６が接続されている。表示装置３２は、ＣＲＴや液晶ディスプレイなどの電子データを電子的に表示する表示部３２ａと、充電状態をランプの点灯の有無で知らせるための充電状態表示ランプ３２ｂからなる。入力装置３３は、例えば表示部３２ａと一体的に形成されたタッチパネルでもよいし、表示部３２ａとは別個に設けられたキー入力部などにより構成されてもよい。
【００３４】
カード読取／書込装置３５はカード挿入部３７に挿入されたカードの読取及び書込処理を行う。貨幣金額検知装置３６は、貨幣取扱装置３８から投入された貨幣の金額を検知して処理回路３１に出力する。
【００３５】
充電器本体３４は、処理回路３１の充電管理部３１ｄの制御に基づき、ケーブル４１によりコネクタ２２を介して接続された充電電池２１に充電する充電機能を有する。
【００３６】
充電電池２１の電池電圧及びインピーダンスは、ケーブル４１、充電器本体３４を介して処理回路３１に出力され、電圧計測部３１ｃ及びインピーダンス計測部３１ｆで検知される。電圧計測部３１ｃは、充電電池２１から検知した電池電圧と、データ記憶部３１ｂに格納された基準電圧値を比較し、充電可否を判定し、その判定結果は充電管理部３１ｄに出力される。充電管理部３１ｄは、判定結果を表示部３２ａに表示させる。
【００３７】
インピーダンス計測部３１ｆは、充電電池２１から検知したインピーダンスと、データ記憶部３１ｂに格納された電池識別参照データを電池識別部３１ｅに出力する。電池識別部３１ｅは、検知インピーダンス値と電池識別参照データに基づき、検知された充電電池が高速充電電池か、あるいは高速の充電ができない標準充電電池か否かを判定し、判定結果を充電管理部３１ｄに出力する。充電管理部３１ｄは、判定結果を表示部３２ａに表示させるとともに、判定結果に応じた電力供給指令を充電器本体３４に行う。充電器本体３４は、充電管理部３１ｄの電力供給指令に応じた電力をケーブル４１及びコネクタ２２を介して充電電池２１に供給する。
【００３８】
データ記憶部３１ｂには、基準電圧値、電池識別参照データ、電圧−充電深度対応データが格納されている。
【００３９】
基準電圧値は、充電器本体３４に接続された電池が充電可能な電池か否かを判定するための電圧値である。この基準電圧値よりも検知した電圧値が低い場合には、過放電を受けた電池である事や電池内部での短絡を発生した可能性が高いため、充電不能であると判定される。
【００４０】
また、電池識別参照データは、例えば交流インピーダンスと直流インピーダンスの関係式である。この関係式と、充電器本体３４を介して検知された直流及び交流インピーダンスに基づき、高速充電が可能か否かが判定される。
【００４１】
具体的な判定手法は以下の通りである。
【００４２】
充電電池２１（二次電池）のインピーダンスをインタフェース３１ａを介してインピーダンス計測部３１ｆで計測する。この時のインピーダンス測定では直流インピーダンスと交流インピーダンスの２つの方式がある。
【００４３】
直流インピーダンスとは、測定対象である電池に直流電流源を接続し既知の測定電流値を流し、この時電池間にインピーダンスに比例した電圧降下が生じた電池電圧値と、電流を流す前の電池電圧値との差ΔＶをその電池に流した既知の電流値で除し算出された結果の値である。
【００４４】
この直流インピーダンス測定法は例えば直流四端子法を用い、充電電池２１の正極６８には電流源のマイナス端子、電池の負極６７にはプラス端子を接続するいわゆる電池を放電する状態になるように接続されている。また、本測定では電流値は通常放電時よりも大きな値であり例えば５Ａ、また、通電時間は瞬時間でよく例えば０．５秒である。よって、内蔵されている電池に対しては影響を与える電気量ではない。電気量は例えば０．７ｍＡｈ(５Ａ×0.5秒／3600)と非常に小さな量である。
【００４５】
一方、交流インピーダンスとは一般に次のように定義される。測定対象である電池に交流電流源を接続し既知の測定電流値を流し、この電池にはインピーダンスに比例した交流電圧が生じる。この時の交流周波数はＩＥＣ（InternationalElectro-technicalCommission）規格に準じた１ｋＨｚである。また、通電する交流電流値も１０ｍＡと小さく、また、交流であるために電池に対してはまったく影響を与えない。この時の交流電位ΔＶを既知の交流電流値で除し算出された結果の値が交流インピーダンス値である。
【００４６】
このように、２種類のインピーダンスを計測する事で電池が高速充電可能電池可否かを判断できる。
【００４７】
高速充電可能電池は、交流インピーダンス（ＡＣＩ）と直流インピーダンス（ＤＣＩ）との間に次の関係式が成り立っている。
【００４８】
ＤＣＩ≦ＡＣＩ×１．５
この関係式を、データ記憶部３１ｂに判定式として格納しておく。
【００４９】
例えばリチウムイオン二次電池の標準サイズである１８６５０型（直径１８ｍｍ、高さ６５ｍｍの円筒型）を例にすると、
高速充電可能電池の場合には、ＡＣＩ＝３５mΩ、ＤＣＩ＝４５mΩであり、ＤＣＩは３５×１５０％＝５２．５mΩと計算され、実測値の４５mΩよりも大きな値となる。これに対し、標準電池の場合、ＡＣＩ＝６０mΩ、ＤＣＩ＝１００mΩとなる。ＤＣＩは６０×１５０％＝９０mΩと計算され、実測値の１００mΩよりも小さな値となる。なお、直流インピーダンス（ＤＣＩ）の測定においては、例えば電流値２０Ａで時間１秒通電した場合の電圧降下ΔＶから算出した結果が直流インピーダンスとして採用される。
【００５０】
このように、前述の判定式に検知された直流インピーダンス値と交流インピーダンス値を代入し、式が成立するか否かを判定することにより、高速充電対応電池か標準型電池かを判定することができる。
【００５１】
なお、電池識別参照データとして、基準直流インピーダンス値を格納しておいてもよい。この場合、基準直流インピーダンス値と充電器本体３４を介して検知された直流インピーダンスを比較し、検知値の方が低い場合には高速充電可能と判定し、高い場合には高速充電不能と判定する。例えば、基準直流インピーダンス値は、円筒型電池の場合は４０ｍΩ、角型電池の場合は８０ｍΩに予め設定されてもよい。
【００５２】
さらに望ましくは、直流インピーダンス、交流インピーダンス、電池電圧値などの検出値に応じて電池種別を判定する電池判定部を充電管理部３１ｄや電池識別部３１ｅなどに設け、かつ、この電池判定部によって判定される電池の外観形状や電池容量などの電池の種別に応じた基準直流インピーダンス値や関係式などの電池識別参照データを格納しておく。これにより、電池の種別に応じた高速充電の可否の正確な判定が可能となる。
【００５３】
電圧−充電深度対応データの一例を図７に示す。横軸は電池の充電深度、縦軸は電池電圧（開回路電圧ＯＣＶ）である。充電深度は、電池の許容充電容量に対する残存する電池容量の割合である。この電圧−充電深度対応データを参照することにより、充電の対象とする充電電池２１の電池電圧に応じた充電深度を得ることができる。
【００５４】
課金処理部３１ｇは、カード挿入部３７、カード読取／書込装置３５、貨幣金額検知装置３６、貨幣取扱装置３８などを制御し、課金準備処理及び課金本処理、課金データ送信処理を実行する。
【００５５】
貨幣取扱装置３８、貨幣金額検知装置３６により、貨幣によりこの充電スタンド３を利用する場合の貨幣の投入、読取、釣銭排出、貨幣取込保持などが実行される。貨幣取扱装置３８は具体的には例えば、貨幣投入口、貨幣投入口から投入された貨幣が貨幣金額検知装置３６で読み取られ、釣銭を排出するための釣銭口、投入された貨幣を充電スタンド３本体内に取込み、また釣銭が必要になった場合に釣銭として排出するための貨幣保持機構などにより構成される。
【００５６】
また、カード挿入部３７、カード読取／書込装置３５により、カードによりこの充電スタンド３を利用する場合のカードの挿入、読取、課金処理に基づく書換等がなされる。
【００５７】
また、課金方法としては貨幣やカード方式に特定するものではなく各種の認証方法を用いても良い。
【００５８】
また、特に図示していないが、処理回路３１は例えばＣＰＵ、メモリなど、一般的なコンピュータシステムとしての構成を備え、インタフェース３１ａ、通信ネットワーク４を介した管理サーバ５とのデータ通信や、データ記憶部３１ｂに格納されたデータの表示部３２ａへの表示などを実行可能である。
【００５９】
次に、図４を用いて本実施形態に係る充電システムの動作を説明する。
【００６０】
まず、この充電システム１適用の前提として、充電電池２１により駆動される携帯電話端末２が採用され、またコンビニエンスストア店舗６など各所に図３に示すような充電スタンド３を設置し、かつ各充電スタンド３と管理サーバ５を通信ネットワーク４により接続する。
【００６１】
携帯電話端末２を利用中、充電電池２１の電池切れが起こった場合、あるいは起こりそうな場合、携帯電話を持ってコンビニエンスストア店舗６に行き、充電スタンド３を操作を開始する（ｓ１）。
【００６２】
充電スタンド３を操作する前の待受状態では、例えばデータ記憶部３１ｂに格納され広告データが処理回路３１により読み出されて表示装置３２に表示され、あるいはインタフェース３１ａを介して管理サーバ５から受信した広告データが処理回路３１により表示装置３２に表示される。これにより、充電スタンド３は充電を行わない状態でも、広告塔としての機能を果たすことができ、充電スタンド３を有効に利用できる。
【００６３】
携帯電話端末２のユーザが入力装置３３を用いて充電を要求するためのデータ入力を行うと、処理回路３１の充電管理手段３１ｂは、表示部３２ａに例えば「充電器に携帯電話を接続して下さい」とメッセージ表示させる（ｓ２）。
【００６４】
これに応答して、ユーザは携帯電話端末２の充電電池２１を充電器本体３４にケーブル４１を介して接続する（ｓ３）。
【００６５】
この電池接続により、充電サービスの提供処理が開始される（ｓ４）。
【００６６】
以下、充電サービスの提供処理（ｓ４）の詳細を図５を用いて説明する。
【００６７】
充電器本体３４への端末の接続が処理回路３１により検知されると（ｓ２１）、課金処理部３１ｇは、課金準備処理（ｓ２２）を実行する。
【００６８】
図６は課金準備処理（ｓ２２）のフローチャートの一例を示す図である。
【００６９】
図６に示すように、課金処理部３１ｇが表示部３２ａに「この携帯電話は充電可能です。充電は１回１００円です。カードを投入し、あるいは貨幣を投入下さい。」など、充電料金支払を要求するメッセージを表示させる（ｓ２２１）。携帯電話端末のユーザは、このメッセージに応答して、カードをカード挿入部３７に挿入し、あるいは貨幣取扱装置３８の貨幣投入口に貨幣を投入する（ｓ２２２）。カードが挿入された場合、カード読取／書込装置３５は挿入されたカードの金額データを読み取り、インタフェース３１ａを介して課金処理部３１ｇに出力する。貨幣が投入された場合、貨幣金額検知装置３６は貨幣貨幣投入口に投入された投入金額を読み取り、金額データとして課金処理部３１ｇに出力する。
【００７０】
課金処理部３１ｇは、金額データが例えばデータ記憶部３１ｂに予め格納された規定充電料金以上か否かを判定し（ｓ８）、規定充電料金以上の場合、課金準備処理を終了し（ｓ２２４）、図５の（ｓ２３）に進む。
【００７１】
充電料金未満の場合、貨幣による金額投入では、表示部３２ａに投入金額を表示した上で貨幣の追加投入の待ち状態とし、表示画面は変更されず、カード挿入の場合、表示部３２ａに「残金が不足しております。追加の金額を貨幣により投入するか、別のカードを挿入して下さい。」と表示し、追加の貨幣あるいは新規カード投入の待ち状態とする（ｓ２２５）。カードが排出された場合には、別のカードの待ち状態とする。このように、充電料金未満の場合には、投入金額が充電料金以上になるまで（ｓ２２２）〜（ｓ２２５）を繰り返し、貨幣あるいはカードによる追加の金額投入の待ち状態が繰り返される。
【００７２】
なお、貨幣、カード以外による決済を選択することもできる。例えば（ｓ２２１）における料金支払いメッセージの表示に応答してユーザが入力装置３３を選択して端末自動決済を選択し、あるいは選択せずとも自動で、端末自動決済処理を実行してもよい。この端末自動決済処理は、例えば端末の端末製造番号などの端末固有の識別情報を充電器本体３４が充電電池２１から検知して課金処理部３１ｇに出力する。課金処理部３１ｇは、この端末固有の識別情報と、ユーザにより入力された暗証番号やＩＤ番号などをインタフェース３１ａ、通信ネットワーク４を介して管理サーバ５に送信する。管理サーバ５は、受信した暗証番号、ＩＤ番号、端末固有識別情報などを、予め管理サーバ５のデータベースに格納されたこれらデータとを照合し、一致する場合には認証可能であることを示す判定結果を、一致しない場合には認証不可であることを示す判定結果を処理回路３１に送信する。課金処理部３１ｇは、受信した認証判定結果が認証可能である場合には課金準備処理を終了させ（ｓ２３）に進み、認証不可である場合には（ｓ２２１）で待機する。
【００７３】
課金準備処理が終了すると、充電器本体３４に接続された充電電池２１の充電回路の電池電圧とインピーダンスは、充電器本体３４、インタフェース３１ａを介して電圧計測部３１ｃ及びインピーダンス計測部３１ｆで検知される（ｓ２３）。電圧計測部３１ｃは、データ記憶部３１ｂに格納された基準電圧値を読み出し、検知された充電電池２１の電池電圧とこの基準電圧値を比較し、充電可能な電池か否かを判定する。検知した電池電圧が基準電圧値よりも低い場合には、電圧計測部３１ｃは充電不可と判定する。この場合、電圧計測部３１ｃは表示部３２ａに「この電池は充電できません。もう一度、接続を確かめて下さい。または、電池が健全ではありませんので新しい電池と交換して下さい。」と表示する（ｓ４０）。これにより、充電システム１による充電がなされずに操作が終了し、再度待受画面が表示される。このような健全でない電池となる要因としては、接触不具合以外は、一般に何らかの原因で電池が過放電状態となる、また電池の内部で短絡が発生したことが考えられる。したがって、このような異常な電池の充電には発熱を伴う可能性が高いため、電池を安全方向（充電しない）に回避するでトラブル発生の防止となる。
【００７４】
一方、検知した電池電圧が基準電圧値よりも高い場合には、電圧計測部３１ｃは充電可能と判定し、（ｓ２４）に進む。
【００７５】
（ｓ２４）では、インピーダンス計測部３１ｆが検知した直流インピーダンス及び交流インピーダンスの値と、データ記憶部３１ｂに格納された交流インピーダンスと直流インピーダンスの関係式を電池識別部３１ｅに出力する。電池識別部３１ｅは、これら関係式及び検知インピーダンス値に基づき高速充電対応電池か否かを判定する。高速充電対応電池と判定した場合、電池識別部３１ｅは高速充電対応である旨のメッセージを表示部３２ａに表示し（ｓ２５ａ）、高速充電対応電池でないと判定した場合、電池識別部３１ｅは標準型充電池である旨のメッセージを表示する（ｓ２５ｂ）。望ましくは、電池識別部３１ｅは、高速充電可能か否かのみならず、電池の電池の外観形状や電池容量などを含めた電池の種別を識別する。この識別は、インピーダンス値に基づいてなされる。
【００７６】
充電管理部３１ｄは、この判定結果に応じた充電電流の設定を行う（ｓ２６）。
【００７７】
充電器本体３４の充電機能における充電電流は、最大でも６０Ａ程度でよい。携帯電話の電池容量は一般に５００〜１０００ｍＡｈ程度であり、１分間充電、すなわち６０Ｃ充電を行ったとしてもこの程度の電流値で十分である。この際、充電電圧の上限は、通常充電時と同様に４．２Ｖに設定し、最終的にはその上限電圧で定電圧充電（ＣＶ）できるように制御される事が望ましい。
【００７８】
大電流の定電流で充電する場合、電池電圧に過電圧が加わり、４．２Ｖを超えることが起こり得る。そこで、例えば▲１▼定電流ではなく、大電流をパルス的に通電する方法、▲２▼充電電流の大きさを最初は大きく設定し、徐々に小さくする方法、▲３▼選択する電流値で充電した場合に電池に加わる過電圧分の見積を行い、その見積分を加えた値を定電流充電（ＣＣ）の上限とし、電流の変化に応じて過電圧分見積分を変化させながら充電を進める方法、などの手法を採用するのが望ましい。これら▲１▼〜▲３▼の手法は、例えば充電管理手段３１ｂが▲１▼〜▲３▼に示すような電力（電流や電圧）を加えるための電力（電流や電圧）パターンを出力させ、この電力パターンを充電器本体３４に出力し、これに基づき充電器本体３４が所望の電力パターンに基づく充電を行うようにすればよい。もちろん、充電器本体３４でこの電圧パターンを発生させるようにしてもよい。
【００７９】
次に、充電管理部３１ｄは、例えば検知された充電電池２１の電池電圧に基づき、データ記憶部３１ｂに格納された電圧−充電深度対応データを参照して検知電圧に対応する充電深度を算出し、さらにこの充電深度と前記電力パターンに基づき充電予測時間を概算する（ｓ２７）。望ましくは、電池識別部３１ｅで識別された電池の外観形状や高速充電可否などの電池種別毎に充電予測時間を算出する。算出された充電予測時間は、充電準備可能である旨のメッセージとともに表示部３２ａに表示される（ｓ２８）。
【００８０】
そして、充電管理部３１ｄは、電池の種別（高速か標準か否か）、充電電流値、充電完了までの概算時間が得られたか否かを最終判断し（ｓ２９）、得られていれば（ｓ３０）に進み、充電状態表示ランプ３２ｂを点灯させるとともに、表示部３２ａに充電中である旨のメッセージを表示させる。得られていなければこれら電池の種別、充電電流値、概算時間を再度算出する。
【００８１】
次に、充電管理部３１ｄは、充電器本体３４に充電電流値を出力し、充電指令を行う。充電器本体３４は、充電電池２１に充電電流を通電し、充電を開始する（ｓ３１）。
【００８２】
望ましくは、この充電中、表示される充電完了までの時間を時間経過とともに減算し、充電が完了する際に、その充電完了までの時間が０となるようにするのが望ましい。なお、充電の対象とする充電電池は最短で１分程度、最長でも５分程度で充電が完了する事が望ましい。また、望ましくは、充電完了までの残り時間のみならず、現在の充電状態を、充電電池の容量に対する現在の充電容量の割合として％表示したり、その充電器本体３４でどこまで充電可能か否かを％表示してもよい。これら％表示の充電状態は、例えば充電予想時間、充電開始から経過した時間などに基づき算出した概略値でもよいし、充電中の充電電池２１の電池電圧を逐次充電器本体３４が検知し、その検知電圧に基づき充電深度を算出することにより得てもよいし、予めデータ記憶部３１ｂに格納された充電状態、充電予想時間、充電容量などを対応付けたデータを読み出すことにより得てもよい。
【００８３】
充電器本体３４は、例えば一般家庭用電源としてコンセントなどを介して供給される交流電源を電源とし、これに基づきＡＣアダプタにより直流電流を発生させる方式でもよいし、大容量の電池を電源としてもよいし、最終端に大電流を印加するコンデンサをバッテリパックのように配置してもよい。コンデンサを配置することにより、直流電源あるいは電池の小型化に寄与する。
【００８４】
充電が終了するまでこれら処理が繰り返される（ｓ３２）。
【００８５】
充電が終了すると、充電管理部３１ｄは、充電状態表示ランプ３２ｂを消灯するとともに、表示部３２ａに「充電が終了しました。課金情報をご確認しました後に充電器から外して下さい。」など、充電が終了したことをユーザに報知するメッセージを表示する（ｓ３３）。このメッセージにより、ユーザは充電が完了したことを確認できる。また、このメッセージ表示とともに、課金処理部３１ｇは課金本処理を実行する（ｓ３４）。課金本処理では、充電量に基づき充電料金を算出する。この充電料金の算出は、予めデータ記憶部３１ｂに格納された充電量と充電料金との対応データを参照して得てもよい。
【００８６】
貨幣投入による場合には、投入された金額から充電料金を差し引いた残金の排出処理を実行する。具体的には例えば貨幣取扱装置３８の貨幣保持機構から残金に対応する釣銭を取り出し、釣銭口から排出する。
【００８７】
カード投入による場合には、算出された残金データへの金額データの書換処理を行い、カードをカード挿入部３７から排出する。
【００８８】
以上により、充電サービス提供処理（ｓ４）が終了する。
【００８９】
ユーザは、（ｓ３３）の充電終了表示と課金情報を確認した後、携帯電話端末２を充電器本体３４から取り外す（ｓ５）。
【００９０】
例えば充電回数、充電料金などの課金データは、課金処理部３１ｇによりインタフェース３１ａ、通信ネットワーク４を介して管理サーバ５に送信される（ｓ６）。課金データの送信タイミングは、充電が行われる毎になされてもよいし、複数回充電が行われた後一定時間おきになされてもよい。管理サーバ５は、得られた課金データに基づき集計処理を実行したり（ｓ７）、貨幣やカードによらない場合には携帯電話端末から得られたデータに基づく口座引き落とし処理などを行う。
【００９１】
このように本実施形態によれば、携帯電話端末２に搭載した充電電池２１が電池切れになった場合、瞬時に電池の充電ができる。また、この充電の際に、課金することにより、充電サービスによるビジネスモデルが実現される。また、充電スタンド３を、管理サーバ５の管理の下でコンビニエンスストア店舗６など各所に設置することにより、充電電池２１を搭載した端末の利用範囲が広がる。また、充電スタンド３の設置場所は、コンビニエンスストア店舗内に限らず、電話ボックス、鉄道の駅の売店、ガソリンスタンド、スーパーマーケット、パチンコ店、本屋、散髪店、美容院や自動販売機などに設置あるいは付設することができる。さらに、貸事務所など、専用場所でもよいし、階段の踊り場などの空きスペースのある場所のいかなる場所に設定することができる。
【００９２】
本発明は上記実施形態に限定されない。
【００９３】
充電時間が１〜５分程度の高速充電電池を充電システム１による充電の対象としたが、必ずしも充電時間が高速ではない標準型充電電池にも充電システム１を適用可能である。この場合、表示部３２ａに「標準型充電池を充電しています。充電時間は○○分です。」など、充電時間が高速では無い旨を充電管理部３１ｄが表示させることで対応すればよい。
【００９４】
また、充電器本体３４はあらゆる携帯電話端末のコネクタに接続できるように、各種アダプタやケーブルを用意してもよい。可能で有れば、海外で販売されている携帯電話端末のコネクタに接続可能なケーブルやアダプタを用意する事も望ましい。
【００９５】
また、例えば充電スタンド３から管理サーバ５に、利用状況や稼働状況を逐次報告し、管理サーバ５側で各充電スタンド３をモニタするように構成してもよい。また、管理サーバ５から配信され、あるいは充電スタンド３自身で表示部３２ａに表示する広告情報としては、設置場所によって異なる、あるいは同一の、充電に関する情報とは異なる情報でもよい。例えば、時刻、天気予報などでもよいし、電話ボックスなどに設置する場合には、当該電話会社のサービス案内、新規製品の案内でもよいし、ガソリンスタンドに設置する場合には、道路渋滞情報などでもよいし、一般的なコマーシャルでもよい。この場合、情報提供サービス会社などと提携してビジネスを運営してもよい。
【００９６】
また、充電スタンド３はカードで利用可能としたが、カードはキャッシュカード、クレジットカード、電子マネーカードなどのような一般的に用いられるカードでもよいし、充電専用のプリペイドカードを発行し、これで決済を行うようにしてもよい。また、充電スタンド３の設置場所に応じて独特のサービスを行ってもよい例えばガソリンスタンドに設置する場合には、課金システムにおいて、表示部３２ａに「ガソリンが〜リットル以上ご購入の場合は、充電料金はいただきません。」や、「累計でガソリンの給油量が〜リットルを超えたら、無料充電が１０回できます。」というように、その充電スタンド設置場所で本来提供されるサービスの利用による割引サービスを実施してもよい。この場合、ガソリンスタンドで発行するカードに、充電スタンドで利用可能なカード機能を付加してもよい。
【００９７】
また、例えばコンビニエンスストア店舗に設置する場合、充電サービスの運営者がコンビニエンスストアから料金をもらい、充電料金は割引あるいは無料とするという運営方法にしてもよい。
【００９８】
上記実施形態では、携帯電話端末２に用いられる充電電池２１を例に説明したが、二次電池を駆動用電池として用いる携帯型電子機器であればこれに限定されない。例えば、ＰＤＡ（Personal Digital Assistant）、ノート型パーソナルコンピュータ、デジタルカメラなどの携帯型の端末に用いられる充電電池にも本充電システムを適用可能である。この場合、充電スタンド３を例えば上記施設以外にも設置可能となり貸事務所、新幹線などの高速鉄道の車内、旅館・ホテルなどの宿泊施設の空きスペースなど、ノート型パーソナルコンピュータやＰＤＡ・デジタルカメラなどを利用する箇所に配置するのが望ましい。
【００９９】
【発明の効果】
以上詳述したように本発明によれば、高速に充電可能な充電サービスが提供される。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 本発明の一実施形態に係る充電システムの全体構成を示す図。
【図２】 高速充電電池の構成の一例を示す図。
【図３】 同実施形態に係る充電スタンドの詳細な構成の一例を示す図。
【図４】 同実施形態に係る充電システムの動作を示すフローチャート。
【図５】 同実施形態に係る充電サービスの提供処理の詳細のフローチャート。
【図６】 同実施形態に係る課金準備処理のフローチャートの一例を示す図。
【図７】 同実施形態に係る電圧−充電深度対応データの一例を示す図。
【符号の説明】
１…充電システム、２…携帯電話端末、３…充電スタンド、４…通信ネットワーク、５…管理サーバ、６…コンビニエンスストア店舗、２１…充電電池、２２…コネクタ、３１…処理回路、３２…表示装置、３３…入力装置、３４…充電器本体、３５…カード読取／書込装置、３６…貨幣金額検知装置、３７…カード挿入部、３８…貨幣取扱装置[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a charging stand that can be charged at high speed, a charging system, and a charging service providing method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to charge a rechargeable battery for driving a cellular phone terminal, a portable information terminal, a notebook personal computer, etc., a charging time of several tens of minutes to several hours is required. In order to perform this charging, a charger dedicated to the rechargeable battery is connected to the home or workplace to charge the battery.
[0003]
In addition, in order to enable charging outside the home or the workplace, for example, a method of arranging a self-service charging stand in a convenience store store is also considered (see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-245841
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the above-mentioned rechargeable battery is used, if the battery runs out while being carried and using a telephone terminal, information terminal, laptop personal computer, etc., it can be used in a home or workplace with a charger. I could not use those terminals until I returned. For example, battery cartridges dedicated to mobile phone terminals have been prepared in stores such as convenience stores in order to continue using them.
[0006]
Mobile phone terminal users purchased this battery cartridge and installed it in the mobile phone terminal. There was a service that could be used until charging with a charger, but generally a battery other than the rechargeable battery is used. However, it was expensive and was not a sufficient service.
[0007]
Also, even when using a self-service charging stand, the charging time is relatively long and it cannot be said that the service is highly convenient.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a charging stand, a charging system, and a charging service providing method for charging a rechargeable battery that can be charged at high speed. is there.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to one aspect of the present invention, a charger main body for charging a rechargeable battery; a battery voltage of the rechargeable battery is detected, and the rechargeable battery is based on the detected battery voltage and a predetermined reference voltage value. A voltage measuring unit for determining whether or not charging is possible; At a frequency of 1 kHz A battery identification unit for identifying whether or not the rechargeable battery is a high-speed chargeable battery according to whether or not an alternating current impedance (ACI) and a direct current impedance (DCI) satisfy a relationship of DCI ≦ ACI × 1.5; A charge management unit that performs a charging command based on a charging current according to an identification result of the battery identification unit to the charger body when the charging unit determines that the charging battery can be charged. A featured charging station is provided.
[0011]
Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, the battery voltage of the charging battery is detected by detecting that a charging battery is connected to the charger body, and the charging battery can be charged based on the detected battery voltage. If it is determined that charging is possible, the rechargeable battery At a frequency of 1 kHz Whether or not the rechargeable battery is a high-speed chargeable battery is identified based on whether or not the alternating current impedance (ACI) and the direct current impedance (DCI) satisfy a relationship of DCI ≦ ACI × 1.5, and charging is performed according to the identification result. Charge the rechargeable battery from the charger body by generating an electric current, and send billing data consisting of the number of uses of the charge and a charge to the management server. The management server receives the billing data and performs aggregation processing A method for providing a charging service, or detecting that a rechargeable battery is connected to a charger body, detecting a battery voltage of the rechargeable battery, and based on the detected battery voltage, the rechargeable battery If it is determined that charging is possible, the DC impedance of the rechargeable battery is determined based on a predetermined reference DC impedance. Whether or not the rechargeable battery is a battery that supports high-speed charging, generates a charging current according to the identification result, charges the rechargeable battery from the charger body, and uses the charge And charging data comprising the charging fee is transmitted to the management server, and the management server receives the charging data and performs a totaling process.
[0012]
Further, the present invention relating to an apparatus or a method has a function for causing a computer to execute a procedure corresponding to the invention (or for causing a computer to function as a means corresponding to the invention, or for a computer to have a function corresponding to the invention. The program is also realized as a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the charging system 1 includes a mobile phone terminal 2, a charging station 3, and a management server 5 connected to the charging station 3 and a communication network 4 so that data can be transmitted and received. A plurality of charging stations 3 are connected to the management server 5. Moreover, the charging stand 3 is arrange | positioned at the convenience store store 6, for example. A rechargeable battery 21 is attached to the mobile phone terminal 2. The mobile phone terminal 2 is driven by using the rechargeable battery 21 as a power source. There are two types of the rechargeable battery 21, one is a high-speed rechargeable battery that can be charged at high speed, and the other is a standard rechargeable battery that cannot be recharged at high speed.
[0015]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the fast rechargeable battery 21.
[0016]
First, the configuration of the high-speed charging battery 21 will be described along the manufacturing procedure of the high-speed charging battery 21.
[0017]
To a solution of polyvinylidene fluoride dissolved in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, LiCoO ₂ Powder (average particle size: 10 μm), acetylene black as a conductive agent and artificial graphite are added and mixed by stirring. ₂ A positive electrode mixture coating solution comprising 90.3% by weight, acetylene black 2.5% by weight, artificial graphite 3% by weight, and polyvinylidene fluoride 4% by weight was prepared. The coating weight of this positive electrode mixture was applied to both sides of an aluminum foil (1N30, thickness 20 μm) with a basis weight of 190 g / m. ² After coating and drying, a positive electrode 68 was produced by pressure molding using a rolling mill so that the porosity of the positive electrode mixture layer was 25%.
[0018]
On the other hand, mesophase pitch carbon fiber (MCF) made from mesophase pitch as a raw material is carbonized at 1000 ° C. in an argon gas atmosphere, and then 90% by volume with an average fiber length of 30 μm, an average fiber diameter of 11 μm, and a particle size of 1 to 80 μm exists. Thus, the carbonaceous material was produced by pulverizing moderately so that particles having a particle size of 0.5 μm or less were 5% or less, and then graphitizing at 3000 ° C. in an argon atmosphere.
[0019]
Next, a carbonaceous material and artificial graphite are added to a solution in which polyvinylidene fluoride is dissolved in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and the mixture is stirred and mixed. The mixture composition is 86.5% by weight of carbonaceous material and 9.5% by weight of artificial graphite. A negative electrode mixture coating solution comprising 4% by weight of polyvinylidene fluoride was prepared. The weight per unit area of copper foil (NC-WS, thickness 12 μm) is 80 g / m. ² After coating and drying, a negative electrode 67 having a thickness of 124 μm was produced by pressure forming with a rolling mill. At this time, the packing density and the electrode length were adjusted so that the ratio (capacity balance) of the design counter electrode capacity of the negative electrode to the design capacity of the positive electrode after molding was 1.05 or more and 1.15 or less.
[0020]
As the negative electrode lead tab 74, a first layer made of a copper plate having a total thickness of 0.1 mm and a width of 4 mm, a width of 4 mm and a thickness of 50 μm, a second layer and a third layer of nickel having a thickness of 25 μm. A three-layer structure (nickel and copper clad processed product) sandwiched from both sides was used. This was welded by an ultrasonic welder so that the negative electrode lead tab 74 would be outside when the electrode group was formed on the copper foil portion of the negative electrode. On the other hand, the positive electrode lead tab 73 is made of aluminum having a width of 4 mm and a thickness of 100 μm, and is formed by an ultrasonic welder so that the positive electrode lead tab 73 is on the innermost side when the electrode group is formed on the aluminum foil portion of the positive electrode. Welded.
[0021]
The positive electrode, the separator 69 made of a polyethylene porous film, the negative electrode and the separator 69 made of a polyethylene porous film constitute a unit comprising one layer. It was formed in a spiral shape so as to be located on the outer peripheral side. At this time, portions where the active material was not applied and mounted were provided at the front and rear ends of the positive and negative electrode common electrodes, and the electrode group 66 was manufactured by winding with an electrode tension of 0.4 MPa during winding.
[0022]
This electrode group 66 is loaded into a bottomed cylindrical container, which is a metal battery container 64 that also serves as a negative electrode terminal having a bottom insulating plate 65 provided at the bottom peripheral edge, and one part of the electrode group 66 is placed in the metal battery container 64. The negative electrode lead tab 74 is resistance-welded and connected to the inside of the bottom of the metal battery container 64 so that (for example, the left side in the figure) is fixed to be in contact with the inner surface of the container 64, and the positive electrode lead tab 73 is connected to the opening of the metal battery container 64. Laser welding connection is made to the sealing body 70 arranged on the side.
[0023]
Subsequently, in the metal battery container 64, lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF) is added to a mixed solvent (mixing volume ratio 1: 2) of ethylene carbonate (EC) and methyl ethyl carbonate (MEC). ₆ 6 g of nonaqueous electrolyte solution 80 in which 1M was dissolved was injected, and electrode assembly 66 was sufficiently impregnated with nonaqueous electrolyte solution 80 under reduced pressure.
[0024]
The opening side of the metal battery container 64 is loaded with a positive electrode terminal 71, a pressure release valve (rupture) 61, and a rupturable plate pressing plate 63 via a gasket 72 made of an insulator such as glass, resin, or ceramics. Then, the entire periphery of the boundary of the sealing body 70 was mechanically fitted and sealed by the sealing body 70 together with the inside of the metal battery container 64. The sealing body 70 has a deformation pressure of 1.5 MPa (about 15 kg / cm provided with a thin wall portion in advance). ² ) Current cutoff valve mechanism and breaking pressure 2.6 MPa (about 26 kg / cm ² ) Is provided with a pressure release valve 61 (rupture) mechanism.
[0025]
In addition, since the average diameter of the electrode group 66 is 17.0 mm and the inner diameter of the metal battery container 64 is 17.56 mm, the apparent contact portion is about 1/3 of the circumference of the inner surface of the container.
[0026]
As described above, a cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery (18650 size (diameter 18 mm, height 65 mm)) having a nominal design capacity of 1600 mAh was assembled.
[0027]
Note that a standard rechargeable battery that cannot be charged at high speed basically has the same configuration or structure as a high-speed rechargeable battery.
[0028]
The differences are as follows.
[0029]

A cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery (18650 size (diameter 18 mm, height 65 mm)) having a nominal design capacity of 1800 mAh was assembled with the above electrode specifications.
[0030]
In addition, since the average diameter of the electrode group 66 is 17.4 mm and the inner diameter of the metal battery container 64 is 17.56 mm, the apparently contacting portion is almost the entire circumference of the inner surface of the container.
[0031]
The fast charging battery 21 configured as described above is a battery that can be charged to a capacity of about 50 to 80% in about 1 to 5 minutes, and a charging rate is about 60C to 12C. Further, the external shape of the battery does not specify a cylindrical shape, and may be a square battery such as an aluminum laminate battery or an aluminum can battery. In such a configuration of the high-speed rechargeable battery, the rated capacity is approximately 1000 mAh or less for a rectangular battery and 2000 mAh or less for a cylindrical battery, although it varies slightly depending on the size of the battery.
[0032]
In addition, with such a configuration, a rechargeable battery that can be charged at high speed and is excellent in safety and long-term reliability is realized.
[0033]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detailed configuration of the charging stand 3. As shown in FIG. 3, a display device 32, an input device 33, a charger main body 34, a card reading / writing device 35, and a money amount detecting device 36 are connected to the processing circuit 31 via an interface 31a. The display device 32 includes a display unit 32a for electronically displaying electronic data such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display, and a charge state display lamp 32b for informing the state of charge by the presence or absence of lighting of the lamp. The input device 33 may be, for example, a touch panel formed integrally with the display unit 32a, or may be configured by a key input unit provided separately from the display unit 32a.
[0034]
The card reading / writing device 35 performs reading and writing processing of the card inserted in the card insertion unit 37. The money amount detection device 36 detects the amount of money input from the money handling device 38 and outputs it to the processing circuit 31.
[0035]
The charger main body 34 has a charging function for charging the rechargeable battery 21 connected via the connector 22 by the cable 41 based on the control of the charge management unit 31 d of the processing circuit 31.
[0036]
The battery voltage and impedance of the rechargeable battery 21 are output to the processing circuit 31 via the cable 41 and the charger main body 34, and are detected by the voltage measuring unit 31c and the impedance measuring unit 31f. The voltage measurement unit 31c compares the battery voltage detected from the rechargeable battery 21 with the reference voltage value stored in the data storage unit 31b, determines whether charging is possible, and the determination result is output to the charge management unit 31d. The charge management unit 31d displays the determination result on the display unit 32a.
[0037]
The impedance measurement unit 31f outputs the impedance detected from the rechargeable battery 21 and the battery identification reference data stored in the data storage unit 31b to the battery identification unit 31e. Based on the detected impedance value and the battery identification reference data, the battery identification unit 31e determines whether the detected rechargeable battery is a fast charge battery or a standard rechargeable battery that cannot be charged at high speed, and the determination result is a charge management unit. To 31d. The charge management unit 31d displays the determination result on the display unit 32a and issues a power supply command according to the determination result to the charger main body 34. The charger main body 34 supplies power corresponding to the power supply command of the charge management unit 31 d to the rechargeable battery 21 via the cable 41 and the connector 22.
[0038]
The data storage unit 31b stores a reference voltage value, battery identification reference data, and voltage-charge depth correspondence data.
[0039]
The reference voltage value is a voltage value for determining whether or not the battery connected to the charger main body 34 is a rechargeable battery. When the detected voltage value is lower than the reference voltage value, it is determined that charging is impossible because the battery is an overdischarged battery or there is a high possibility that a short circuit has occurred inside the battery.
[0040]
The battery identification reference data is, for example, a relational expression between AC impedance and DC impedance. Whether or not high-speed charging is possible is determined based on this relational expression and the direct current and alternating current impedance detected via the charger main body 34.
[0041]
A specific determination method is as follows.
[0042]
The impedance measurement unit 31f measures the impedance of the rechargeable battery 21 (secondary battery) via the interface 31a. There are two types of impedance measurement at this time: DC impedance and AC impedance.
[0043]
DC impedance refers to a battery voltage value in which a direct current source is connected to the battery to be measured and a known measured current value flows, and a voltage drop proportional to the impedance occurs between the batteries at this time, and the battery before the current flows This is a value obtained by dividing the difference ΔV from the voltage value by the known current value passed through the battery.
[0044]
This DC impedance measurement method uses, for example, a DC four-terminal method, and connects the positive electrode 68 of the rechargeable battery 21 to a negative terminal of a current source and the negative electrode 67 of the battery to a so-called battery discharge state. Has been. In this measurement, the current value is larger than that during normal discharge, for example, 5A, and the energization time may be instantaneous, for example, 0.5 seconds. Therefore, it is not the amount of electricity that affects the built-in battery. The amount of electricity is very small, for example, 0.7 mAh (5 A × 0.5 sec / 3600).
[0045]
On the other hand, the AC impedance is generally defined as follows. An alternating current source is connected to the battery to be measured and a known measured current value is passed, and an alternating voltage proportional to the impedance is generated in this battery. The AC frequency at this time is 1 kHz according to the IEC (International Electro-technical Commission) standard. Also, the alternating current value to be energized is as small as 10 mA, and since it is alternating current, it does not affect the battery at all. The value obtained by dividing the AC potential ΔV at this time by the known AC current value is the AC impedance value.
[0046]
In this way, it is possible to determine whether or not a battery can be charged at high speed by measuring two types of impedances.
[0047]
In the fast chargeable battery, the following relational expression is established between the alternating current impedance (ACI) and the direct current impedance (DCI).
[0048]
DCI ≦ ACI × 1.5
This relational expression is stored as a determination expression in the data storage unit 31b.
[0049]
For example, taking 18650 type (cylindrical type with a diameter of 18 mm and a height of 65 mm) which is a standard size of a lithium ion secondary battery as an example,
In the case of a fast chargeable battery, ACI = 35 mΩ and DCI = 45 mΩ, and DCI is calculated as 35 × 150% = 52.5 mΩ, which is larger than the actually measured value of 45 mΩ. On the other hand, in the case of a standard battery, ACI = 60 mΩ and DCI = 100 mΩ. DCI is calculated as 60 × 150% = 90 mΩ, which is smaller than the actually measured value of 100 mΩ. In the measurement of the direct current impedance (DCI), for example, the result calculated from the voltage drop ΔV when the current is applied for 1 second at the current value of 20A is adopted as the direct current impedance.
[0050]
Thus, by substituting the detected DC impedance value and the AC impedance value into the above-described determination formula and determining whether the formula is satisfied, it is possible to determine whether the battery is a high-speed charge compatible battery or a standard battery. it can.
[0051]
A standard DC impedance value may be stored as the battery identification reference data. In this case, the reference DC impedance value is compared with the DC impedance detected via the charger main body 34. If the detected value is lower, it is determined that high speed charging is possible, and if it is higher, it is determined that high speed charging is impossible. . For example, the reference DC impedance value may be preset to 40 mΩ for a cylindrical battery and 80 mΩ for a square battery.
[0052]
More preferably, a battery determination unit that determines a battery type according to detection values such as DC impedance, AC impedance, and battery voltage value is provided in the charge management unit 31d, the battery identification unit 31e, and the like, and is determined by the battery determination unit Battery identification reference data such as a standard DC impedance value and a relational expression corresponding to the type of battery such as the external shape and battery capacity of the battery is stored. Thereby, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not high-speed charging is possible according to the type of battery.
[0053]
An example of voltage-charge depth correspondence data is shown in FIG. The horizontal axis represents the battery charging depth, and the vertical axis represents the battery voltage (open circuit voltage OCV). The charging depth is a ratio of the remaining battery capacity to the allowable charging capacity of the battery. By referring to the voltage-charge depth correspondence data, the charge depth corresponding to the battery voltage of the rechargeable battery 21 to be charged can be obtained.
[0054]
The billing processing unit 31g controls the card insertion unit 37, the card reading / writing device 35, the money amount detecting device 36, the money handling device 38, and the like, and executes billing preparation processing, billing main processing, and billing data transmission processing.
[0055]
The money handling device 38 and the money amount detection device 36 execute the insertion, reading, change discharge, and money pick-up holding when using the charging stand 3 with money. Specifically, the money handling device 38 is, for example, a money insertion slot, a coin inserted from the money insertion slot is read by the money amount detection device 36, a change outlet for discharging the change, and the inserted money to the charging stand 3 It is constituted by a money holding mechanism for taking in the body and discharging it as change when it becomes necessary.
[0056]
In addition, the card insertion unit 37 and the card reading / writing device 35 perform card insertion, reading, rewriting based on a billing process, etc., when using the charging stand 3 with a card.
[0057]
In addition, the charging method is not limited to the currency or card method, and various authentication methods may be used.
[0058]
Although not particularly illustrated, the processing circuit 31 has a configuration as a general computer system such as a CPU and a memory, and performs data communication with the management server 5 via the interface 31a and the communication network 4 and data storage. The data stored in the unit 31b can be displayed on the display unit 32a.
[0059]
Next, operation | movement of the charging system which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG.
[0060]
First, as a premise of applying the charging system 1, a mobile phone terminal 2 driven by a rechargeable battery 21 is adopted, and a charging stand 3 as shown in FIG. The stand 3 and the management server 5 are connected by the communication network 4.
[0061]
When the battery of the rechargeable battery 21 has run out or is likely to occur while using the mobile phone terminal 2, the mobile phone is taken to the convenience store store 6 and the operation of the charging stand 3 is started (s 1).
[0062]
In a standby state before operating the charging stand 3, for example, advertisement data stored in the data storage unit 31b is read by the processing circuit 31 and displayed on the display device 32, or received from the management server 5 via the interface 31a. The processed advertisement data is displayed on the display device 32 by the processing circuit 31. Thereby, even if the charging stand 3 is not charged, it can function as an advertising tower, and the charging stand 3 can be used effectively.
[0063]
When the user of the mobile phone terminal 2 inputs data for requesting charging using the input device 33, the charge management means 31b of the processing circuit 31 displays, for example, “Connecting the mobile phone to the charger. Please display "message (s2).
[0064]
In response to this, the user connects the rechargeable battery 21 of the mobile phone terminal 2 to the charger main body 34 via the cable 41 (s3).
[0065]
With this battery connection, charging service provision processing is started (s4).
[0066]
Details of the charging service providing process (s4) will be described below with reference to FIG.
[0067]
When connection of the terminal to the charger main body 34 is detected by the processing circuit 31 (s21), the charging processing unit 31g executes charging preparation processing (s22).
[0068]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of the charging preparation process (s22).
[0069]
As shown in FIG. 6, the charge processing unit 31g displays a charge on the display unit 32a such as “This mobile phone can be charged. Charging is 100 yen once. Insert a card or insert money.” Is displayed (s221). In response to this message, the user of the mobile phone terminal inserts a card into the card insertion portion 37 or inserts money into the money insertion slot of the money handling device 38 (s222). When the card is inserted, the card reading / writing device 35 reads the amount data of the inserted card and outputs it to the billing processing unit 31g via the interface 31a. When money is inserted, the money amount detection device 36 reads the money amount inserted into the money money slot, and outputs the money amount data to the billing processing unit 31g.
[0070]
The billing processing unit 31g determines whether or not the amount data is greater than or equal to a specified charge fee stored in advance in the data storage unit 31b, for example (s8). Proceed to (s23) in FIG.
[0071]
When the amount is less than the charge, when the money is inserted, the amount of money is displayed on the display unit 32a and the state of waiting for the additional insertion of money is waited. The display screen is not changed. "Please insert the additional amount with money or insert another card." Is displayed, and it waits for the insertion of additional money or a new card (s225). If the card is ejected, another card is waited for. As described above, when the charging fee is less than the charging fee, the steps (s222) to (s225) are repeated until the charging amount becomes equal to or higher than the charging fee, and the waiting state for adding the additional amount by money or card is repeated.
[0072]
It is also possible to select payment other than money and cards. For example, in response to the display of the charge payment message in (s221), the user may select the input device 33 and select terminal automatic payment, or may automatically execute the terminal automatic payment processing without selecting it. In this automatic terminal payment process, for example, the charger main body 34 detects identification information unique to the terminal such as the terminal manufacturing number of the terminal from the rechargeable battery 21 and outputs it to the charging processing unit 31g. The billing processing unit 31g transmits the identification information unique to the terminal and the personal identification number or ID number input by the user to the management server 5 via the interface 31a and the communication network 4. The management server 5 collates the received personal identification number, ID number, terminal unique identification information, etc. with these data stored in advance in the database of the management server 5 and determines that authentication is possible if they match. If the results do not match, a determination result indicating that authentication is impossible is transmitted to the processing circuit 31. If the received authentication determination result can be authenticated, the charging processing unit 31g ends the charging preparation process (s23), and if the authentication is impossible, the charging processing unit 31g stands by (s221).
[0073]
When the charging preparation process is completed, the battery voltage and impedance of the charging circuit of the rechargeable battery 21 connected to the charger main body 34 are detected by the voltage measuring unit 31c and the impedance measuring unit 31f via the charger main body 34 and the interface 31a. (S23). The voltage measurement unit 31c reads the reference voltage value stored in the data storage unit 31b, compares the detected battery voltage of the rechargeable battery 21 with the reference voltage value, and determines whether the battery is a rechargeable battery. When the detected battery voltage is lower than the reference voltage value, the voltage measuring unit 31c determines that charging is not possible. In this case, the voltage measuring unit 31c displays on the display unit 32a "This battery cannot be charged. Please check the connection again. Or, replace the battery with a new one because it is not healthy" (s40). . As a result, the operation is terminated without charging by the charging system 1, and the standby screen is displayed again. As a cause of such an unhealthy battery, it can be considered that the battery is generally over-discharged for some reason other than a contact failure, and that a short circuit has occurred inside the battery. Therefore, since there is a high possibility that such abnormal battery charging is accompanied by heat generation, troubles can be prevented by avoiding the battery in a safe direction (not charging).
[0074]
On the other hand, if the detected battery voltage is higher than the reference voltage value, the voltage measuring unit 31c determines that charging is possible, and proceeds to (s24).
[0075]
In (s24), the DC impedance and AC impedance values detected by the impedance measurement unit 31f and the relational expression between the AC impedance and the DC impedance stored in the data storage unit 31b are output to the battery identification unit 31e. The battery identifying unit 31e determines whether or not the battery is compatible with fast charging based on these relational expressions and the detected impedance value. If it is determined that the battery is compatible with high-speed charging, the battery identifying unit 31e displays a message indicating that it is compatible with high-speed charging (s25a). If it is determined that the battery is not compatible with high-speed charging, the battery identifying unit 31e is the standard type. A message indicating that the battery is a rechargeable battery is displayed (s25b). Desirably, the battery identification unit 31e identifies not only whether or not high-speed charging is possible, but also the type of battery including the appearance and battery capacity of the battery. This identification is made based on the impedance value.
[0076]
The charge management unit 31d sets the charging current according to the determination result (s26).
[0077]
The charging current in the charging function of the charger main body 34 may be about 60 A at the maximum. The battery capacity of a cellular phone is generally about 500 to 1000 mAh, and even if charging is performed for 1 minute, that is, 60C charging, a current value of this level is sufficient. At this time, the upper limit of the charging voltage is preferably set to 4.2 V in the same manner as in normal charging, and is finally controlled so that constant voltage charging (CV) can be performed with the upper limit voltage.
[0078]
When charging with a large constant current, an overvoltage is added to the battery voltage, which may exceed 4.2V. Therefore, for example, (1) a method of applying a large current in a pulse manner instead of a constant current, (2) a method of initially setting a charging current to a large value and gradually decreasing it, and (3) a current value to be selected A method of estimating the overvoltage applied to the battery when charging, setting the estimated value as the upper limit of constant current charging (CC), and proceeding with charging while changing the estimated overvoltage according to the change in current It is desirable to adopt a method such as. In the methods (1) to (3), for example, the charge management means 31b outputs a power (current or voltage) pattern for applying power (current or voltage) as shown in (1) to (3). This power pattern may be output to the charger main body 34, and based on this, the charger main body 34 may perform charging based on a desired power pattern. Of course, the charger main body 34 may generate this voltage pattern.
[0079]
Next, the charge management unit 31d calculates the charge depth corresponding to the detected voltage by referring to the voltage-charge depth correspondence data stored in the data storage unit 31b, for example, based on the detected battery voltage of the rechargeable battery 21. Further, the estimated charging time is estimated based on the charging depth and the power pattern (s27). Desirably, the estimated charge time is calculated for each battery type such as the external shape of the battery identified by the battery identification unit 31e and whether or not fast charging is possible. The calculated estimated charging time is displayed on the display unit 32a together with a message indicating that preparation for charging is possible (s28).
[0080]
Then, the charge management unit 31d finally determines whether or not the battery type (whether it is high speed or standard), the charging current value, and the approximate time until the charging is completed (s29), and if it is obtained ( In step s30), the charging state display lamp 32b is turned on, and a message indicating that charging is in progress is displayed on the display unit 32a. If not obtained, the battery type, charging current value, and approximate time are calculated again.
[0081]
Next, the charge management unit 31d outputs a charge current value to the charger main body 34 and issues a charge command. The charger main body 34 supplies a charging current to the rechargeable battery 21 and starts charging (s31).
[0082]
Desirably, during this charging, it is desirable to subtract the displayed time until completion of charging with the passage of time so that the time until completion of charging becomes zero when charging is completed. Note that it is desirable that the rechargeable battery to be charged is completed in about 1 minute at the shortest and about 5 minutes at the longest. Desirably, not only the remaining time until the completion of charging but also the current charging state is displayed as a percentage of the current charging capacity with respect to the capacity of the charging battery, and how much charging is possible with the charger main body 34. May be displayed in%. The charging state indicated in% may be an approximate value calculated based on, for example, an estimated charging time, a time elapsed from the start of charging, or the charger main body 34 sequentially detects the battery voltage of the charging battery 21 being charged. It may be obtained by calculating the charging depth based on the detection voltage, or may be obtained by reading data in which the charging state, the estimated charging time, the charging capacity, and the like previously stored in the data storage unit 31b are read out.
[0083]
The charger main body 34 may be a system that uses, for example, an AC power source supplied via an outlet as a general household power source and generates a DC current using an AC adapter based on the AC power source, or a large-capacity battery as a power source. Alternatively, a capacitor that applies a large current to the final end may be arranged like a battery pack. By arranging the capacitor, it contributes to the miniaturization of the DC power supply or the battery.
[0084]
These processes are repeated until the charging is completed (s32).
[0085]
When the charging is completed, the charge management unit 31d turns off the charging state display lamp 32b and also displays on the display unit 32a "Charging has been completed. After confirming the billing information, please remove it from the charger." A message notifying the user that the charging has been completed is displayed (s33). This message allows the user to confirm that charging is complete. Further, along with this message display, the billing processing unit 31g executes billing main processing (s34). In the billing process, a charge fee is calculated based on the charge amount. The calculation of the charge fee may be obtained by referring to correspondence data between the charge amount and the charge fee stored in advance in the data storage unit 31b.
[0086]
In the case of money insertion, the remaining amount is discharged by subtracting the charging fee from the amount inserted. Specifically, for example, change corresponding to the balance is taken out from the money holding mechanism of the money handling device 38 and discharged from the change mouth.
[0087]
When the card is inserted, the amount data is rewritten to the calculated balance data, and the card is ejected from the card insertion unit 37.
[0088]
Thus, the charging service provision process (s4) ends.
[0089]
After confirming the charge end display and billing information in (s33), the user removes the mobile phone terminal 2 from the charger main body 34 (s5).
[0090]
For example, charging data such as the number of times of charging and a charging fee is transmitted to the management server 5 by the charging processing unit 31g via the interface 31a and the communication network 4 (s6). The charging data may be transmitted every time charging is performed, or may be performed every certain time after charging is performed a plurality of times. The management server 5 executes an aggregation process based on the obtained billing data (s7), or performs an account withdrawal process based on the data obtained from the mobile phone terminal when not using money or a card.
[0091]
Thus, according to the present embodiment, when the rechargeable battery 21 mounted on the mobile phone terminal 2 runs out of battery, the battery can be charged instantly. Further, by charging at the time of charging, a business model based on a charging service is realized. In addition, by installing the charging stand 3 in various places such as the convenience store store 6 under the management of the management server 5, the range of use of the terminal equipped with the rechargeable battery 21 is expanded. The location of the charging stand 3 is not limited to a convenience store store, but is installed in a telephone box, a railway station store, a gas station, a supermarket, a pachinko store, a bookstore, a haircut store, a hair salon, a vending machine, or the like. Can be attached. Furthermore, it can be a dedicated place such as a rental office, or can be set at any place where there is an empty space such as a stair landing.
[0092]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
[0093]
Although a high-speed charging battery having a charging time of about 1 to 5 minutes is the target of charging by the charging system 1, the charging system 1 can be applied to a standard charging battery that does not necessarily have a high charging time. In this case, the charging management unit 31d may indicate that the charging time is not high, such as “The standard rechargeable battery is being charged. The charging time is XX minutes” on the display unit 32a. .
[0094]
Further, the charger main body 34 may be provided with various adapters and cables so that the charger main body 34 can be connected to a connector of any mobile phone terminal. If possible, it is also desirable to prepare cables and adapters that can be connected to connectors of mobile phone terminals sold overseas.
[0095]
Further, for example, the usage status and the operating status may be sequentially reported from the charging station 3 to the management server 5, and each charging station 3 may be monitored on the management server 5 side. Further, the advertisement information distributed from the management server 5 or displayed on the display unit 32a by the charging stand 3 itself may be different information depending on the installation location or the same information regarding charging. For example, it may be the time, weather forecast, etc., when installed in a telephone box, etc., it may be service information of the telephone company, information on new products, or when installed in a gas station, it may be road congestion information etc. Good or general commercials may be used. In this case, the business may be operated in cooperation with an information providing service company.
[0096]
Although the charging stand 3 can be used as a card, the card may be a generally used card such as a cash card, a credit card, an electronic money card, or a prepaid card dedicated to charging. You may make it settle. Also, a unique service may be provided according to the installation location of the charging station 3. For example, when installing at a gas station, the charging system displays “If gasoline is purchased in liters or more, the battery is charged. By using the services originally provided at the charging stand installation location, such as “No charge” or “If the total amount of gasoline exceeds ~ liter, you can charge 10 times for free.” Discount services may be implemented. In this case, a card function that can be used at the charging station may be added to the card issued at the gas station.
[0097]
For example, when installing in a convenience store store, the charge service operator may receive a charge from a convenience store, and the charge may be discounted or free.
[0098]
In the said embodiment, although the charging battery 21 used for the mobile telephone terminal 2 was demonstrated to the example, if it is a portable electronic device which uses a secondary battery as a drive battery, it will not be limited to this. For example, the present charging system can be applied to a rechargeable battery used in a portable terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a notebook personal computer, or a digital camera. In this case, the charging station 3 can be installed other than the above facilities, for example, rental personal computers, high-speed trains such as the Shinkansen, vacant spaces in accommodation facilities such as inns and hotels, notebook personal computers, PDAs, digital cameras, etc. It is desirable to place it in a place where
[0099]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a charging service that can be charged at high speed is provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fast charging battery.
FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a detailed configuration of a charging stand according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the charging system according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart of a charging service providing process according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart showing a charging preparation process according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of voltage-charge depth correspondence data according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Charging system, 2 ... Mobile phone terminal, 3 ... Charging stand, 4 ... Communication network, 5 ... Management server, 6 ... Convenience store store, 21 ... Rechargeable battery, 22 ... Connector, 31 ... Processing circuit, 32 ... Display device 33 ... Input device 34 ... Charger body 35 ... Card reading / writing device 36 ... Money amount detection device 37 ... Card insertion part 38 ... Money handling device

Claims (6)

A charger body for charging a rechargeable battery;
A voltage measuring unit that detects a battery voltage of the rechargeable battery and determines whether or not the rechargeable battery can be charged based on the detected battery voltage and a predetermined reference voltage value;
A battery that identifies whether or not the rechargeable battery is a high-speed chargeable battery according to whether or not the alternating current impedance (ACI) and direct current impedance (DCI) at a frequency of 1 kHz satisfy the relationship of DCI ≦ ACI × 1.5. An identification part;
A charge management unit that, when the voltage measurement unit determines that the rechargeable battery is chargeable, performs a charging command based on a charging current according to the identification result of the battery identification unit to the charger body; Charging stand characterized by The charging stand according to claim 1, further comprising a display device, wherein the charge management unit causes the display device to display an expected charging time of the rechargeable battery. The charging stand according to claim 1, wherein the charging battery is a lithium ion secondary battery. A plurality of charging stations according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ;
And a management server that performs accounting processing by receiving charging data from each of the plurality of charging stations. Detecting that a rechargeable battery is connected to the charger body and detecting the battery voltage of the rechargeable battery, determining whether or not the rechargeable battery can be charged based on the detected battery voltage, If determined, whether the rechargeable battery is a high-speed chargeable battery according to whether or not the alternating current impedance (ACI) and the direct current impedance (DCI) at a frequency of 1 kHz satisfy the relationship of DCI ≦ ACI × 1.5. The charging battery is charged from the charger main body by generating a charging current according to the identification result, and charging data including the number of times of charging and a charging fee is transmitted to the management server. The method of providing a charging service, wherein the management server receives the billing data and performs aggregation processing. The method for providing a charging service according to claim 5, wherein the rechargeable battery is a lithium ion secondary battery.

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