JP4488381B2 - Battery pack system - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a battery pack system equipped with an electrical device (200) and a battery pack (100) used as the power source of said device. The battery pack (100) includes a battery cell group in which multiple battery cells are connected in series and a discharge output terminal (110) that supplies the output of the battery cell group to the electrical device (200). The electrical device (200) includes a load unit (202), a switch (204) that can be switched on and off by an operator, and a switch detection unit (205) that detects whether the switch (204) is on or off. Furthermore, this system includes multiple energization interrupt elements (130) provided between the battery cells, and a control means that controls the multiple energization interrupt elements (130) such that all of the energization interrupt elements (130) are conductive and series connection of the battery cells is implemented when the switch (204) is on, and all of the energization interrupt elements (130) are interrupted and series connection of the battery cells is not implemented when the switch (204) is off.

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery pack system including an electric device and a battery pack used as a power source of the electric device, and in particular, a battery cell in which the battery pack is a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery. The present invention relates to a battery pack system including a plurality of battery cells connected in series.

  A conventional cordless power tool (see, for example, Patent Document 1) charges a battery pack using a charger from a commercial power source, and drives a DC drive motor using the battery pack as a power source. On the other hand, an AC drive type electric tool drives an AC drive type motor by directly connecting a power cord to a commercial power source. In recent years, battery packs used in cordless power tools have been improved in performance due to the development of battery technology and charge control technology.

  In particular, battery packs using lithium ion batteries can realize light weight, high voltage, and high capacity due to their high energy density compared to battery packs using nickel cadmium batteries or nickel metal hydride batteries. The number of users is increasing.

JP 2002-254355 A

  Hereinafter, as a conventional technique, a 36V cordless power tool system using a 36V lithium ion battery pack and an AC drive type power tool will be described in comparison.

  One of the user requirements for cordless power tools is high output performance. High output performance means that the output of the cordless power tool is close to the output of the AC drive type power tool.

  In the case of a 36V cordless power tool system, for example, it has a relatively superior output performance compared to a 14.4V cordless power tool system using a 14.4V lithium ion battery pack, but compared with an AC drive type power tool. However, since there is still a shortage, the user is forced to use the 36V cordless power tool of the prior art as an alternative, although the work efficiency is reduced during work in the field where it is difficult to secure commercial power.

  The voltage of the battery pack for a cordless electric tool existing as a conventional technique is 36 V at maximum, and the difference in voltage that can be supplied to the electric tool motor is larger than that of 100 V of the commercial power supply. Therefore, the output exceeds 36V before the problem that there is no cordless power tool that can obtain an output equivalent to an AC drive type electric tool and the problem that there is no battery pack that can obtain an output equivalent to a commercial power source. There is a problem that a battery pack does not exist.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the battery pack accommodates a battery cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series and a booster circuit that boosts the output voltage of the battery pack. There is a case where a method of boosting the DC voltage to 100V is used. In this case, the heat generation of the battery cell and the booster circuit increases as the load current increases due to the boost. Since the increase in heat generation causes new problems such as a reduction in battery cell life and an increase in cost for suppressing heat generation, the method using the booster circuit is not preferable.

  The inventor proposes a system in which a DC voltage of a battery cell group formed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series is set to a high voltage corresponding to a commercial power supply voltage.

  In realizing this method, a conventional method, that is, a battery cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series, a voltage monitor line connected to the battery cells of the battery cell group, a discharge control unit connected to the voltage monitor line When using a method in which the discharge terminal connected to the discharge control unit is housed in the case, with the super high voltage of the battery cell group, between the different voltage cells in the battery pack, between the voltage monitor lines, the voltage Many places such as the space between the monitor line and the battery cell and between the electrodes of the discharge terminal are at high potential. Therefore, new problems relating to insulation arise, such as a complicated internal structure of the battery pack for ensuring insulation and dielectric breakdown when a foreign substance enters.

  For example, in the conventional battery pack, when a battery cell group in which 27 lithium ion battery cells having a voltage of 4 V after charging are connected in series is used, a maximum of 108 V is frequently applied to each part inside the battery pack. Will be applied. Therefore, in the internal structure that has been used in the battery pack of 36V or less of the prior art, it is not assumed that the maximum 108V is applied with high frequency, so that the insulation reliability of the battery pack is lowered.

  Against the background of the above circumstances, the present invention is a battery pack system comprising an electric device and a battery pack used as a power source of the electric device, and the battery pack is connected to a plurality of battery cells in series. In spite of having the battery cell group thus formed, it is an object to provide a battery pack having improved insulation reliability.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-described problem, a battery pack system including an electric device and a battery pack used as a power source of the electric device, wherein the battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells. includes a serially connected battery cell groups, and a discharge output for supplying a discharge output of the battery cell group to the electric device, the electric device is connected to the discharge output terminal, the power from the battery pack Is turned on and off by the worker so that the worker can selectively control the power input terminal to which the power is input , the load unit that is operated by supplying power from the power input terminal , and the driving and stopping of the load unit. a switch operated respectively bets, when operated off the switch itself, from the battery pack to shut off said power input terminal and the load unit together to the load unit When the power supply is stopped and turned on, the switch itself energizes the power input terminal and the load unit to allow the power supply from the battery pack to the load unit. Things are provided.

The battery pack system further includes a switch detection unit that detects on / off of the switch, and a power storage unit that accumulates power supplied from the battery pack, and supplies power from the battery pack to the load unit. When the switch is stopped, power is supplied to the switch detection unit, thereby enabling the switch detection unit to operate, and the switch is operated to turn off based on a signal from the switch detection unit. When the switch is turned on, the power from the battery pack to the load unit is output when the switch is turned on while outputting the stop command signal for commanding the power supply from the battery pack to the load unit to be stopped. a first control means for outputting a permission command signal for commanding to allow the supply, between the battery cells to selectively implement a series connection of the plurality of battery cells A plurality of current blocking elements provided, a second control means connected to the their first control means and a plurality of current blocking devices, in the case where the first control means has output the permission command signal In addition, since all of the plurality of energization cut-off elements are energized and serial connection of the plurality of battery cells is realized, power is supplied from the battery pack to the load unit, while the first control means When the stop command signal is output , all of the plurality of energization cutoff elements are in a cutoff state, and the series connection of the plurality of battery cells is not realized, so that power is supplied from the battery pack to the load unit For controlling the plurality of energization cut-off elements so as to be stopped .

  The following aspects are obtained by the present invention. Each aspect is divided into sections, each section is given a number, and is described in a form that cites other section numbers as necessary. This is for facilitating understanding of some of the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention and combinations thereof, and the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention and combinations thereof are limited to the following embodiments. Should not be interpreted. That is, it should be construed that it is not impeded to appropriately extract and employ the technical features described in the present specification as technical features of the present invention although they are not described in the following embodiments.

  Further, describing each section in the form of quoting the numbers of the other sections does not necessarily prevent the technical features described in each section from being separated from the technical features described in the other sections. It should not be construed as meaning, but it should be construed that the technical features described in each section can be appropriately made independent depending on the nature.

(1) A battery pack system comprising an electric device and a battery pack used as a power source for the electric device,
The battery pack is
A battery cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series;
A discharge output terminal for supplying the discharge output of the battery cell group to the electrical device;
Including a battery cell group and a discharge output terminal.
The battery cell group, together with an input / output connection connected to the battery cell group, constitutes a battery module,
The battery modules are connected in series to form a battery module group,
The electrical equipment is
A load section;
A load control unit that receives the power supplied from the discharge output terminal to control the load unit, and in a first discharge non-permitted state that does not permit discharge of the battery pack, from the load control unit to the load unit And stopping the power supply, and transmitting a first signal to the battery module group,
At least one of the plurality of battery modules belonging to the battery module group is connected to the load control unit, and when receiving the first signal from the load control unit, the voltage from the input / output connection unit Battery pack system that stops output.

  According to this battery pack system, in the first discharge non-permitted state where the discharge of the battery pack is not permitted, the output of the voltage from the input / output connection unit in at least one battery module is stopped, and as a result, the load unit is stopped. , The battery cells of the battery cell group are electrically disconnected.

  Thereby, the number of the plurality of battery cells (connected in series with each other) in a conductive state is reduced from the total number of battery cells belonging to the battery cell group. As a result, the total voltage of the series connection of the plurality of battery cells that are in conduction with each other is reduced, thereby suppressing the state in which a high voltage is applied inside the battery pack. As a result, the insulation reliability of the battery pack is improved when the load portion is stopped.

  Furthermore, according to this battery pack system, at least one of the plurality of battery modules belonging to the battery module group that stops outputting the voltage from the input / output connection unit when receiving the first signal. The control unit that selectively transmits the first signal is mounted not in the battery pack but in the electric device.

  Therefore, according to this battery pack system, the internal structure of the battery pack is simplified compared to the case where such a control unit is mounted in the battery pack, and as a result, the design of the battery pack is facilitated. .

(2) The first discharge disapproval state includes a state in which a supply voltage from the discharge output terminal is lower than a predetermined value, a state in which the electric equipment is not used exceeds a predetermined value, and the load unit The battery pack system according to (1), including at least one of a state in which the electric device cannot be normally driven and a state in which a start switch of the electric device is off.

  According to this battery pack system, the supply voltage from the discharge output terminal is lower than a predetermined value, the non-use time when the electric device is not used exceeds a predetermined value, and the load unit cannot be driven normally. When at least one of the state and the state in which the start switch of the electric device is off, the battery cells of the battery cell group are electrically disconnected, thereby the battery pack in the stopped state of the load unit Improves insulation reliability.

(3) The first discharge non-permission state includes a state where a start switch of the electrical device is off,
When the start switch is turned on, the load control unit shifts to a state in which discharge of the battery pack is permitted.

  According to this battery pack system, when the start switch of the electric device is turned off, the discharge of the battery pack is prohibited, and as a result, the battery cells of the battery cell group are electrically disconnected, while the start switch of the electric device When is turned on, discharging of the battery pack is permitted, and as a result, the battery cells of the battery cell group are electrically connected.

(4) The battery module group transmits a second signal to the load control unit in a second discharge non-permitted state where the discharge of the battery cell group is not permitted.
The battery pack system according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the first discharge non-permission state includes a state in which the load control unit receives the second signal from the at least one battery module.

(5) The second discharge disapproval state includes an overdischarge state of the battery cell group, an overload state of the battery cell group, a state where the temperature of the battery cell group is outside a predetermined range, and the battery cell. The battery pack system according to (4), including at least one of a state in which a group is not used and a non-use time exceeds a predetermined value.

  According to this battery pack system, the overdischarge state of the battery cell group, the overload state of the battery cell group, the state where the temperature of the battery cell group is outside a predetermined range, and the non-use time when the battery cell group is not used When at least one of the states exceeding the predetermined value, the battery cells in the battery cell group are electrically disconnected, thereby improving the insulation reliability of the battery pack when the load portion is stopped.

(6) The battery pack further includes:
Including an energization interruption element that is provided between the plurality of battery cells and switches between an energization state in which the battery cells are electrically connected to each other and an interruption state in which the battery cells are electrically interrupted from each other;
When at least one of the plurality of battery modules belonging to the battery module group receives the first signal, the energization cutoff element is switched to the cutoff state, thereby outputting a voltage from the input / output connection unit. The battery pack system according to any one of (1) to (5).

(7) Furthermore, a charger for charging the battery pack is provided,
The charger is
A voltage conversion unit that receives an AC voltage of a commercial power supply and converts the AC voltage into a DC voltage;
In the first charging non-permitted state in which charging of the battery module group is controlled by controlling the converted DC voltage, and the charging of the battery module group is controlled by the controlled DC voltage, And stopping charging of the battery pack by the charger, and transmitting a third signal to the battery module group,
When at least one of the plurality of battery modules belonging to the battery module group is connected to the charge control unit and receives the third signal from the charge control unit, the voltage input to the battery cell group The battery pack system according to any one of (1) to (6).

  According to this battery pack system, in addition to realizing the same operational effect as the battery pack system according to the above (1), at least one battery in the first charge disapproval state in which charging of the battery pack is not permitted. The output of the voltage from the input / output connection in the module is stopped, and as a result, the battery cells in the battery cell group are electrically disconnected in the battery pack charging stopped state.

  Thereby, the number of the plurality of battery cells (connected in series with each other) in a conductive state is reduced from the total number of battery cells belonging to the battery cell group. As a result, the total voltage of the series connection of the plurality of battery cells that are in conduction with each other is reduced, thereby suppressing the state in which a high voltage is applied inside the battery pack. As a result, the insulation reliability of the battery pack is improved when the battery pack is not charged.

  Further, according to this battery pack system, when at least one of the plurality of battery modules belonging to the battery module group receives the third signal, the input of the voltage to the battery cell group is stopped. A control unit that selectively transmits the third signal is mounted not in the battery pack but in the charger.

  Therefore, according to this battery pack system, the internal structure of the battery pack is simplified compared to the case where such a control unit is mounted in the battery pack, and as a result, the design of the battery pack is facilitated. .

(8) A battery pack system comprising an electric device, a battery pack used as a power source for the electric device, and a charger for charging the battery pack,
The battery pack is
A battery cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series;
A discharge output terminal for supplying the discharge output of the battery cell group to the electrical device;
Including a battery cell group and a discharge output terminal.
The battery cell group, together with an input / output connection connected to the battery cell group, constitutes a battery module,
The battery modules are connected in series to form a battery module group,
The charger is
A voltage conversion unit that receives an AC voltage of a commercial power supply and converts the AC voltage into a DC voltage;
In the first charging non-permitted state in which charging of the battery module group is controlled by controlling the converted DC voltage, and the charging of the battery module group is controlled by the controlled DC voltage, And stopping charging of the battery pack by the charger, and transmitting a third signal to the battery module group,
When at least one of the plurality of battery modules belonging to the battery module group is connected to the charge control unit and receives the third signal from the charge control unit, the voltage input to the battery cell group To stop the battery pack system.

  According to this battery pack system, in the first charging non-permitted state where the charging of the battery pack is not permitted, the output of the voltage from the input / output connection unit in at least one battery module is stopped, and as a result, the charging of the battery pack is stopped In the state, the battery cells of the battery cell group are electrically disconnected.

  Thereby, the number of the plurality of battery cells (connected in series with each other) in a conductive state is reduced from the total number of battery cells belonging to the battery cell group. As a result, the total voltage of the series connection of the plurality of battery cells that are in conduction with each other is reduced, thereby suppressing the state in which a high voltage is applied inside the battery pack. As a result, the insulation reliability of the battery pack is improved when the battery pack is not charged.

  Further, according to this battery pack system, when at least one of the plurality of battery modules belonging to the battery module group receives the third signal, the input of the voltage to the battery cell group is stopped. A control unit that selectively transmits the third signal is mounted not in the battery pack but in the charger.

  Therefore, according to this battery pack system, the internal structure of the battery pack is simplified compared to the case where such a control unit is mounted in the battery pack, and as a result, the design of the battery pack is facilitated. .

(9) The first charge disapproval state includes at least one of a state where the input power supply voltage is abnormal, a fully charged state of the battery pack, and a state where the charger cannot operate normally. The battery pack system according to item (8).

  According to this battery pack system, when the input power supply voltage is abnormal, the battery pack is at least one of a fully charged state and a state where the charger cannot operate normally. The battery cells in the cell group are electrically disconnected, thereby improving the insulation reliability of the battery pack when the battery pack is stopped from being charged.

(10) The battery module group transmits a fourth signal to the charge control unit in a second charging non-permitted state where charging of the battery cell group is not permitted,
The battery pack system according to (8) or (9), wherein the first charge disapproval state includes a state in which the charge control unit receives the fourth signal from the at least one battery module.

(11) The second charge disapproval state is at least one of an overcharge state of the battery cell group, an overcurrent charge state of the battery cell group, and a state where the temperature of the battery cell group is outside a predetermined range. The battery pack system according to item (10), including

  According to this battery pack system, when the battery cell group is at least one of an overcharge state, an overcurrent charge state of the battery cell group, and a state where the temperature of the battery cell group is outside a predetermined range, The battery cells in the cell group are electrically disconnected, thereby improving the insulation reliability of the battery pack when the battery pack is stopped from being charged.

(12) The battery pack further includes:
Including an energization interruption element that is provided between the plurality of battery cells and switches between an energization state in which the battery cells are electrically connected to each other and an interruption state in which the battery cells are electrically interrupted from each other;
When at least one of the plurality of battery modules belonging to the battery module group receives the third signal, the energization cut-off element is switched to the cut-off state, thereby inputting a voltage to the battery cell group. The battery pack system according to any one of (7) to (11), which is stopped.

  An embodiment of the present invention includes a battery pack that outputs a high voltage exceeding 36 V, particularly a voltage equivalent to a commercial power supply, a cordless electric tool that can be driven by connecting the battery pack, and a charger that can charge the battery pack. A cordless power tool system configured.

  In addition, about the site | part used as the discharge load of a battery pack, not only a cordless electric tool but the electric equipment which can be used similarly to embodiment of this invention is also included widely.

  A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells connected in series to form a battery cell group, and a means for interrupting energization (for example, a transistor or a switch) is provided between the battery cells of the battery cell group. The energization shut-off means executes the shut-off between the battery cells in a state where the electric device does not permit load driving, and in a state where the charger does not permit charging of the battery pack. Thereby, the insulation reliability of the battery pack is improved in spite of the ultrahigh voltage of the battery cell group.

  A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell group in which a number of battery cells that are relatively smaller than the total number of battery cells included in the battery pack are connected in series, and a module controller that controls a DC voltage of the battery cell group. A battery module housed in an exterior so as to expose only an input / output terminal connected to the module controller (hereinafter also referred to as “input / output connection portion”), and a battery module group in which a plurality of the battery modules are connected in series. House in pack case. This simplifies the internal structure of the battery pack and improves the insulation reliability of the battery pack.

  Further, the battery module is provided with a module controller, and the module controller inputs / outputs a DC voltage of the battery cell group based on the result of the detection and a means for detecting any one of the voltage, temperature or current of the battery cell. Means for outputting to the terminal, inputting DC voltage from the input / output terminal to the battery cell group, and stopping. This simplifies the internal structure of the battery pack and improves the insulation reliability of the battery pack.

  The module controller of the load control unit accommodated in the electric device and the battery module accommodated in the battery pack is either in the direction from the load control unit to the module controller or in both directions of the load control unit and the module controller. Then, transmission / reception of a signal indicating that energization is stopped is performed. When the output of the load controller is stopped, the load controller transmits a signal indicating that the power supply is stopped from the load controller to the module controller, and when the output of the module controller is stopped, the module controller transmits a signal indicating the stop of energization. To do. The load control unit and the module controller that have received the signal execute the energization stop by the energization stop means included in each. This simplifies the internal structure of the battery pack and improves the insulation reliability of the battery pack.

  In addition, when the load control unit accommodated in the electric device executes energization, a signal indicating execution of energization is transmitted from the load control unit to the module controller. The module controller that has received the signal executes energization by energizing means included in the module controller. This simplifies the internal structure of the battery pack and improves the insulation reliability of the battery pack.

  In addition, the load control unit accommodated in the electric device includes a unit that detects either the voltage or current of the battery module group, and the voltage input from the power supply terminal of the electric device based on the detection result. By having the means for supplying and stopping the battery pack, the internal structure of the battery pack is simplified and the insulation reliability of the battery pack is improved.

  The module controller of the battery controller accommodated in the charger controller accommodated in the charger and the battery pack is either in the direction from the charge controller to the module controller or in both directions of the charge controller and the module controller. Then, transmission / reception of a signal indicating that charging is stopped is performed. When the charging control unit stops charging, a signal indicating charging stop is transmitted from the charging control unit to the module controller, and when the module controller stops charging, the module controller transmits a signal indicating charging stop. To do. The charge control unit and the module controller that have received the signal execute the charge stop by the charge stop means included in each. This simplifies the internal structure of the battery pack and improves the insulation reliability of the battery pack.

  Moreover, when the charge control part which a charger accommodates performs charge, the signal which shows execution of charge is transmitted from the said charge control part to the said module controller. The charging control unit and the module controller that have received the signal execute energization by energizing means included in each. This simplifies the internal structure of the battery pack and improves the insulation reliability of the battery pack.

  The charging control unit accommodated in the charger includes means for detecting either the voltage or current of the battery module group, and means for inputting and stopping the DC voltage to the battery module group based on the detection result. As a result, the internal structure of the battery pack is simplified and the insulation reliability of the battery pack is improved.

  First, effects that can be achieved by the battery pack and the cordless power tool according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in terms of output performance.

  A cordless power tool according to an embodiment of the present invention inputs a DC voltage exceeding 36 V, such as 72 V and 100 V, from a battery pack to a DC drive motor. Therefore, the cordless power tool exceeding 36V can obtain a higher output than the 36V cordless power tool of the prior art. In particular, as the output voltage of the battery pack approaches the output corresponding to the commercial power supply, the difference from the output of the prior art 36V cordless electric tool becomes clearer.

  In addition, the voltage exceeding 36V can obtain the effect regarding output performance irrespective of an alternating current and a direct current system.

  The battery cell accommodated in the battery pack has an internal resistance, and at the time of discharging, energy proportional to the square of the load current is consumed as the heat generated by the battery cell. The load current of the cordless power tool according to the embodiment of the present invention is remarkably small as compared with the load current of the 36V cordless power tool of the prior art, particularly when the cordless power tool is driven using a voltage corresponding to a commercial power source.

  Therefore, the energy consumed as the heat generated by the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention is lighter than that of the 36V battery pack of the prior art, so the influence on the battery cell life is also light.

  Next, an effect that the battery pack and the cordless power tool according to the embodiment of the present invention can achieve will be described with respect to insulation reliability.

  A cordless power tool according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a motor, a switch for an operator to selectively control driving and stopping of the motor, and a load control unit for controlling the rotation speed of the motor. Have. The load control unit includes means for detecting opening and closing of the switch.

  A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a means for interrupting energization between battery cells of a battery cell group, and the means for interrupting energization includes the load control when the switch is turned on, that is, when the motor is driven. The unit transmits a signal indicating that the switch is on to an energization cutoff unit provided between the battery cells, and controls the cutoff unit to be in an energized state. On the other hand, when the switch is off, that is, when the motor is stopped, the load control unit detects a load current, and a predetermined time elapses after detecting that the load current is less than a predetermined value. When it is determined that the battery is in a state, the voltage supplied from the battery pack to the motor is detected, the voltage is in an overdischarge state lower than a predetermined value, or the load unit does not operate normally. The load control unit determines that the discharge is not permitted, and transmits a signal indicating that the switch is off to the energization cutoff unit provided between the battery cells so that the cutoff unit enters a cutoff state. To control.

  In the battery cell group, when the discharge is not permitted, the battery cell group is electrically disconnected between the battery cells by the energization interrupting means.

  Accordingly, the potential applied between the different voltage cells in the battery pack, between the voltage monitor lines, and the space between the voltage monitor line and the battery cells is relatively low with respect to the commercial power supply voltage. Is not applied for a long time.

  For example, in the case of a battery cell group in which 27 lithium ion battery cells having a voltage of 4V after completion of charging are connected in series, a maximum of 108V is frequently applied to each of the aforementioned parts in the conventional technique. However, in one embodiment of the present invention, by providing a shut-off means every time nine battery cells are connected in series, when the discharge output is stopped, the shut-off is executed by the above-mentioned shut-off means. It can only be applied up to 36V. Therefore, since the maximum of 108 V is not frequently applied to each of the aforementioned parts, the insulation reliability is improved.

  Further, in the case of the prior art method in which the maximum voltage of 108V is constantly applied, when conductive foreign matter such as metal powder or water enters the battery pack from the outside of the battery pack, the power supply of 108V is supplied to the battery pack. A short circuit may be formed, leading to dielectric breakdown. Furthermore, when the conductive foreign matter enters the battery pack and adheres to the outside of the battery pack, an electric leakage circuit using the 108V as a power source is formed from the inside of the battery pack to the outside of the battery pack. There is a possibility of connection.

  In the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, the battery pack is not attached to the cordless power tool and is not output, and the battery pack is attached to the cordless power tool, and the output is not permitted. In a non-use state, the battery cell group inside a battery pack is electrically interrupted between battery cells, and each of the aforementioned parts is applied only up to 36V.

  Therefore, even in the case where a short circuit or leakage circuit is formed due to the conductive foreign matter as described above, the voltage at which the progress of dielectric breakdown is greatly reduced and the influence on the electric shock to the human body is extremely low Electric shock can be prevented. This simplifies the internal structure of the battery pack and improves the insulation reliability of the battery pack.

  Moreover, the battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery module that houses a battery cell group composed of a relatively small number of battery cells relative to the total number of battery cells to be housed. Since the battery cell group of the battery module is accommodated in the insulating case, the battery cell group is disposed inside the battery pack in a state of being insulated from the battery cell group accommodated in the other battery module.

  In the prior art, for example, in the case of a battery cell group in which 27 lithium ion battery cells having a voltage of 4 V after completion of charging are connected in series, the voltage monitor line for measuring the voltage of each battery cell is a ground line. Except 27 are required.

  In the voltage monitor line, for example, two voltage monitor lines for measuring voltages of two battery cells arranged at the positive side and the negative side of the battery cell group connected in series are the voltage A voltage of 26 cells is applied between the monitor lines, that is, a high voltage of 104 V is applied after completion of charging. When the two voltage monitor lines are wired inside the battery pack, it is necessary to arrange them at a distance that can ensure insulation reliability between the monitor lines and between the monitor line and each battery cell.

  Further, in the conventional technique, in the battery cell group in which the 27 battery cells are connected in series, depending on how the battery cell group is arranged, a high voltage of 104 V at the maximum between adjacent battery cells is obtained after charging is completed. Can be applied.

  Therefore, it is necessary to secure an appropriate insulation distance in the combination of all the 27 voltage monitor lines and 27 battery cells wired in the battery pack, and in all the combinations of adjacent battery cells. This leads to a complicated structure.

  A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, for example, accommodates the aforementioned 27 battery cells in every nine module cases, and the battery cell group in the battery module is accommodated in the other battery module. Insulated from the group. Further, only a maximum voltage of 9 cells is applied between the voltage monitor lines wired in each battery module.

  Therefore, the potential applied between the different voltage cells in the battery module, between the voltage monitor lines, and between the voltage monitor line and the battery cells is relatively low with respect to the commercial power supply voltage. It is not necessary to provide a large insulation distance required for the voltage. This contributes to simplification of the internal structure of the battery module.

  In the prior art, there is a method of detecting the state of the battery cell accommodated in the battery module and stopping the input / output of the battery module.

  In this case, even if at least one battery module accommodated in the battery pack stops input / output, the other battery module accommodated in the battery pack is kept in the energized state. A high voltage corresponding to the number of battery modules in which the energized state is maintained is applied to the parts connected in series, and the insulation reliability decreases.

  Therefore, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a battery module, and a cordless electric tool according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a load control unit, and the load control unit and the battery module are bidirectional. Or when the load control unit or the battery module performs input / output of a DC voltage of the battery cell group or stop for any direction of the direction from the load control unit to the battery module. And means for transmitting / receiving a signal indicating the input / output or stop state.

  As a result, when the input / output of the battery pack, that is, charging or discharging is not required, the insulation reliability is improved by canceling that the energized battery modules are held in series. However, the state of the battery cell included in the battery module can be recognized without complicating the wiring, which contributes to simplification of the internal structure of the battery pack.

  The battery module accommodates a battery cell group, a module controller, and terminals used for energization for charging and discharging, and terminals used for signal transmission and reception between the load controller and the module controller, in a case formed of an insulating material. Then, only the terminal is exposed to the outside from the case.

  Therefore, foreign matter does not enter the battery module from the outside. Thereby, it is easy to ensure insulation between the different voltage battery cells of the battery cell group accommodated in the battery module, and contribute to simplification of the internal structure of the battery pack.

  Next, effects that can be achieved by the battery pack and the charger according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with respect to insulation reliability.

  A charger according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a charge control unit for charging a battery pack. The battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided with means for interrupting energization between the battery cells of the battery cell group. When charging the battery pack, the charging control unit included in the charger transmits a signal indicating execution of the charging to the energization interruption unit provided between the battery cells, and the interruption unit enters the energization state. To control.

  On the other hand, when the charging control unit stops charging the battery pack, the charging control unit transmits a signal indicating the charging stop to the energization blocking unit provided between the battery cells, so that the blocking unit enters a blocking state. To control. The charge control unit is configured such that the battery pack is fully charged, the charger is faulty, the state of the commercial power input to the charge control unit is not suitable for driving the charge control unit, When it is determined that charging is not permitted in any of the battery cells, the current is cut off by the energization cut-off means, and the battery cell group is cut off electrically between the battery cells.

  Accordingly, the potential applied between the different voltage cells in the battery pack, between the voltage monitor lines, and the space between the voltage monitor line and the battery cells is relatively low with respect to the commercial power supply voltage. Is not applied for a long time.

  For example, in the case of a battery cell group in which 27 lithium ion battery cells having a voltage of 4V after completion of charging are connected in series, a maximum of 108V is frequently applied to each of the aforementioned parts in the conventional technique. However, in one embodiment of the present invention, each time nine battery cells are connected in series, by providing a shut-off means, when charging is stopped, the shut-off means is executed by the aforementioned shut-off means. It can only be applied up to 36V.

  Therefore, since the maximum of 108 V is not frequently applied to each of the aforementioned parts, the insulation reliability is improved. Further, in the case of the prior art method in which the maximum voltage of 108V is constantly applied, when conductive foreign matter such as metal powder or water enters the battery pack from the outside of the battery pack, the power supply of 108V is supplied to the battery pack. A short circuit may be formed, leading to dielectric breakdown.

  Furthermore, when the conductive foreign matter enters the battery pack and adheres to the outside of the battery pack, an electric leakage circuit using the 108V as a power source is formed from the inside of the battery pack to the outside of the battery pack. There is a possibility of connection.

  The battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention is, for example, in a state where the battery pack is not attached to the charger and is not charged, and in a state where the battery pack is attached to the charger and charging is not permitted. The battery cell group inside the battery pack is electrically cut off between the battery cells, and each of the aforementioned parts is only applied up to 36V.

  Therefore, even in the case where a short circuit or leakage circuit is formed due to the conductive foreign matter as described above, the voltage at which the progress of dielectric breakdown is greatly reduced and the influence on the electric shock to the human body is extremely low Electric shock can be prevented. This simplifies the internal structure of the battery pack and improves the insulation reliability of the battery pack.

It is a side view which shows the internal structure of the battery pack according to one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the internal structure of the battery module shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the internal structure of the battery module shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows the internal structure at the time of the connection of the battery pack and cordless electric tool shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows the internal structure at the time of the connection of the battery pack and charger shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the battery module shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the battery pack and cordless electric tool which are shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the battery pack and charger shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which represents notionally the flow of the discharge control of the battery pack and cordless electric tool shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which represents notionally the flow of the charge control of the battery pack and charger shown in FIG.

  A cordless power tool system using a battery pack, a charger, and a cordless power tool according to a more specific embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the “battery pack system” described above) by referring to FIGS. Will be described in detail.

  FIG. 1 shows a side view of the internal structure of a battery pack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The battery pack 100 includes three battery modules 112, a connection detection unit 136 having a terminal cover switch 116, a circuit cover 117 formed of an insulating material, a hook button 103 formed of an insulating material, and the hook button 103. A spring 119 for sliding, a terminal cover 107 made of an insulating material, and a spring 118 for sliding the terminal cover 107 are accommodated in an upper case 101 and a lower case 102 made of an insulating material. .

  A module input / output terminal (an example of the aforementioned “input / output connection unit”) 131 of the battery module 112 is a module input / output terminal 131 of an adjacent battery module 112 (not shown) or a battery pack input / output terminal 110 (described above). It may function as an example of a “discharge output terminal”). The circuit cover 117 shown by hatching is inserted into the battery pack input / output terminal 110, the battery pack first and third signal input terminals 149 (see FIG. 7), and the battery pack second and fourth signal output terminals 150 (see FIG. 7). It covers the periphery except the mouth and the surface facing the battery module 112.

  The terminal cover 107 is arranged so that its operation and the opening / closing operation of the terminal cover switch 116 provided in the connection detection unit 136 are interlocked. The circuit cover 117 is interposed between the module input / output terminal 131 serving as a live part or the battery pack input / output terminal 110 and the outside of the battery pack 100 when the upper case 101 is damaged. The human body can be prevented from coming into direct contact with the live part, and there is an effect of improving the reliability related to insulation.

  The number of battery cells 120 used in the battery pack 100 is such that a voltage corresponding to the effective value of the commercial power supply voltage can be output using the DC voltage of the battery cells connected in series, and at least two battery modules 112 are provided. It is good to compose with. In particular, the number of battery cells 120 accommodated in the battery module 112 may be a divisor of the total number of battery cells 120 accommodated in the battery pack 100.

  As one embodiment of the present invention, 27 battery cells 120 housed in the battery pack 100, 3 battery modules 112 housed in the battery pack 100, and 9 battery cells 120 housed in the battery module 112. Will be described below.

  The battery cell 120 is preferably a lithium ion battery, which is small and lightweight, and can achieve high output and high capacity. However, the battery cell 120 is not limited to the lithium ion battery and can be housed in the battery pack 100 to output voltage. Secondary batteries are widely included.

  FIG. 2 shows a side view of the internal structure of the battery module 112.

  Nine battery cells 120 are a battery cell group in which lead plates 121 are connected in series by spot welding. In particular, in the case of a lithium ion battery cell, the voltage of the battery cell group is 10 series or less of battery cells in the battery module, that is, lithium ion battery cells having a nominal voltage of 3.6 V per cell are connected in series. Since the nominal voltage of the battery module to be configured is 36 V or less, or the maximum voltage when a lithium ion battery cell is fully charged is generally 4.2 V per cell, the module voltage when fully charged is 42 V or less. It is good to comprise so that it may become.

  Thereby, since the potential applied to each part in the battery module does not exceed 42 V, which is considered to have an influence on the electric shock to the human body, it is possible to contribute to improvement of safety at the time of manufacture.

  Further, one end of the voltage monitor line 123 for detecting the voltage of the battery cell 120 is connected to the lead plate 121, and the remaining one end is connected to the module controller 122. The temperature sensor 124 is provided at a portion where the battery cell temperature can be detected and is connected to the module controller 122.

  The battery module 112 includes only a module input / output terminal 131 connected to the module controller 122, a module 1/3 signal input terminal 146 and a module 2/4 signal output terminal 147 shown in FIG. Provided to be exposed.

  FIG. 3 shows a top view of the internal structure of the battery module 112.

  The battery module 112 includes a battery cell group in which nine battery cells 120 are connected in series, a voltage monitor line 123 and a temperature sensor 124, and a buffer 125 having an insulating property and elasticity that is indicated by a hatched diagram of the module controller 122. Overlaps are provided at the joints between the cases via both ends of the battery cell 120, and both are accommodated by a module case right 126 and a module case left 127 made of an insulating material.

  Moreover, the exterior of a battery module is good also as a means which covers the said internal site | part using a heat shrink laminate sheet, without using the said case. In addition, when a clearance gap produces in module cases 126 and 127, it is good to mold the said clearance gap using an insulating filler.

  FIG. 4 shows a side view of the internal structure when the battery pack 100 and the cordless power tool 200 are connected.

  When the battery pack 100 is inserted into the cordless power tool 200, the load control unit 201, the power input terminal 209, the first signal output terminal 210 (see FIG. 7), and the second signal input terminal 211 (see FIG. 7) of the cordless power tool 200. The terminal box 214 that accommodates (see) pushes and slides the terminal cover 107 of the battery pack 100.

  The terminal cover switch 116 in contact with the terminal cover 107 is interlocked with the terminal cover 107, and the power input terminal 209 of the cordless power tool 200, the battery pack input / output terminal 110 of the battery pack 100, and the battery pack 1. The signal input terminal 149 (see FIG. 7), the first signal output terminal 210 of the cordless power tool 200, the battery pack 2/4 signal output terminal 150 (see FIG. 7) of the battery pack 100, and the first of the cordless power tool 200. Turns on at the position where the two-signal input terminal 211 is joined.

  The hook button 103 of the battery pack 100 is engaged with a locking recess 213 provided in the housing case 212 of the cordless power tool 200, and the battery pack 100 and the cordless power tool 200 are connected until the hook button 103 is released. State is maintained. Starting from the fact that the above-described terminal cover switch 116 is switched from the off state to the on state, the battery pack 100 executes the discharge control sequence shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 shows a side view of the internal structure when battery pack 100 and charger 300 are connected.

  When the power supply terminal 307 of the charger 300 is inserted into the battery pack input / output terminal 110 of the battery pack 100, the DC converter 302, the charge controller 303, the hook button 310, and the hook button 310 of the charger 300 slide. A housing case 312 that houses a spring 310 for pushing the terminal cover 107 of the battery pack 100 slides.

  The terminal cover switch 116 in contact with the terminal cover 107 is linked with the terminal cover 107, and the power supply terminal 307 of the charger 300, the battery pack input / output terminal 110 of the battery pack 100, and the 1/3 signal for the battery pack of the battery pack 100. The input terminal 149 (see FIG. 7), the third signal output terminal 308 of the charger 300, the battery pack 2/4 signal output terminal 150 (see FIG. 7) of the battery pack 100, and the fourth signal input of the charger 300. Turns on at the position where the terminal 309 is joined.

  The hook button 310 of the charger 300 is engaged with the locking recess 104 provided in the upper case 101 of the battery pack 100, and the connection state between the battery pack 100 and the charger 300 is maintained until the hook button 310 is released. Retained. Starting with the above-described terminal cover switch 116 being switched from the off state to the on state, the battery pack 100 executes the charge control sequence shown in FIG. 10 to allow the battery pack 100 to be charged.

  FIG. 6 shows a functional block diagram of the battery module 112.

  Nine battery cells 120 are connected in series and connected to the module input / output terminal 131 via the module charging FET 129 and the module discharging FET 130. The module controller 122 is connected to a voltage monitor line 123 for battery cell voltage detection, a temperature sensor 124 for battery cell temperature detection, and a current detection unit 138, and uses a module charging FET 129 and a module discharging FET 130. Take control.

  The module controller 122 includes a first / third signal input unit and a second / fourth signal output unit, and the module first / third signal input terminal 146 and the second / fourth signal output terminal 147 for the module Signals are transmitted / received to / from a load control unit 201 of the cordless electric tool 200 described later and a charge control unit 303 of the charger 300.

  When a plurality of battery modules 112 are connected in series to form one battery pack 100, the module first and third signal input terminals 146 and the module second and fourth signal output terminals 147 of each battery module 112 are Since it is connected to the other terminals 146 and 147 having different ground potentials, it is preferable to use an element such as a photocoupler capable of transmitting an electric signal while ensuring insulation.

  In FIG. 6, the control of the module charging FET 129 and the module discharging FET 130 is based on the signal input to the module first and third signal input terminals 146 being determined by the module controller 122. A signal conversion means that can directly control the signal voltage input to the first and third signal input terminals 146 for the module by directly inputting the voltage to each gate of the FET, and the battery pack or the cordless power tool and the charger. You may provide in either.

  A typical size of a lithium ion battery cell that is often used in electric equipment is a cylindrical cell having a diameter of 18 mm and a height of 65 mm. When 27 lithium ion battery cells 120 are accommodated in the battery pack 100 as in the embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack 100 is configured by using the above-described cylindrical cells having a diameter of 18 mm and a height of 65 mm. It is too big for a power tool user and too heavy and difficult to use.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, a battery pack 100 having 27 battery cells 120 having the same diameter of 18 mm and a height of 25 mm, for example, is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the end portions of the nine lithium ion battery cells 120 having a diameter of 18 mm and a height of 25 mm are aligned and accommodated in the battery module 112, and the three battery modules 112 are accommodated in the battery cell 112. Is aligned with the axis of the battery cell accommodated in the other battery module 112 and accommodated in the battery pack 100.

  In the case of a battery cell unit, the energy capacity that can be stored per cell of the battery cell 120 having a height of 25 mm is reduced in accordance with the height of the battery cell as compared with the battery cell having a height of 65 mm. In the case of a cell group, a comparison is made with a battery cell group using eight lithium ion battery cells having a height of 65 mm used in a 14.4V lithium ion battery pack for a 14.4V cordless power tool of the prior art that is evaluated as small and light. Then, the size and weight of the battery cell group using 27 lithium ion battery cells having a height of 25 mm are substantially the same as the battery cell group using 8 cells of the 65 mm lithium ion battery cells. It can be considered, and the overall output as a battery pack and the operation are greatly reduced by drastically reducing the electric loss due to the drastic reduction of the load current accompanying the increase in voltage. The amount can be greatly improved.

  In addition, although the cylindrical cell of diameter 18mm and height 25mm was mentioned as an example as one form of the above-mentioned lithium ion battery cell, in the case of a cylindrical cell, diameter 16mm-18mm and height 20-30mm However, this is a preferable shape range that can provide the above-described overall effect. In addition, a battery cell shape whose volume per cell is not a cylindrical shape corresponding to the above range is also included in the above preferable shape range.

  In FIG. 7, the functional block diagram of the cordless electric tool 200 corresponding to the battery pack 100 and the said battery pack 100 is shown.

  The plurality of battery modules 112 are connected in series via the module input / output terminal 131 to form a battery module 112 group, and are accommodated in the battery pack 100.

  The battery module group 112 is connected to the battery pack input / output terminal 110 and enables power supply to the cordless power tool 200. The first and third signal input terminals 146 of the three battery modules 112 are connected in parallel, and are connected to the battery pack first and third signal input terminals 149 via a connection detection unit 136 having a terminal cover switch 116.

  Further, the module second and fourth signal output terminals 147 of the three battery modules 112 are connected in series, and the terminal located at the end of the series connection is connected to the battery pack second and fourth signal output terminals 150. The The cordless power tool 200 connected to the battery pack 100 includes a load unit 202 and a load control unit 201 that controls the load unit 202 by receiving power supply based on a DC voltage from the battery pack input / output terminal 110 of the battery pack 100. Accommodate.

  The load unit 202 receives the power of the battery pack 100 from the power input terminal 209 via a switch 204 that an operator arbitrarily opens and closes, and a load control FET 203 controlled by the load control unit 201.

  The load control unit 201 includes a voltage detection unit 206, a current detection unit 207, and a switch detection unit 205, and a state in which discharge is not permitted, for example, a DC voltage supplied from the battery pack input / output terminal 110 of the battery pack 100. Is lower than a predetermined value, a state in which the load current is lower than a predetermined value has elapsed for a predetermined time, and it is determined that a non-use time has elapsed for a predetermined period of time. In the case where at least one of the cases where the load control unit 201 cannot maintain the voltage or the current as the control target value during the driving of the load unit 202 and the load unit 202 is determined not to be driven normally, , The load control unit 201 stops the power supply to the load unit 202 and then sends a first signal indicating the stop through the first signal output terminal 210 to the battery. Tsu and transmits to the first and third signal input terminal 149 for click.

  Each module controller 122 of each battery module 112 of the battery pack 100 receives the first and third signal input terminals 146 for the modules connected in parallel to the first and third signal input terminals 149 for the battery pack, and for module discharge. The FET 130 is turned off, and the output of the series voltage of the battery cell group accommodated in the battery module 112 to the module input / output terminal 131 is stopped.

  When the cordless power tool 200 is being driven, that is, when the first signal is not transmitted from the cordless power tool 200 to the battery pack 100, the battery pack 100 is removed from the cordless power tool 200. The connection detection unit 136 detects that the terminal cover switch 116 has been turned off with the removal operation.

  Since the connection detection unit 136 is interposed between the load control unit 201 of the cordless power tool 200 and each battery module 112 of the battery pack 100, when detecting the OFF state of the terminal cover switch 116, the load control unit 136 By transmitting the first signal instead of 201, it is possible to appropriately perform the energization cutoff processing of the battery module 112.

  When the output of the battery module 112 is stopped, depending on the circuit method of the load control unit 201, the power supply from the battery pack 100 cannot be received, and the load control unit 201 itself stops and cannot perform appropriate control. There is also. In that case, it is preferable that the power supply circuit with backup 208 having a power storage function is provided in the cordless power tool 200 and the driving state of the load control unit 201 is maintained.

  Further, a dedicated terminal for supplying power from the battery pack 100 to the load control unit 201 may be provided in the battery pack 100 and the cordless electric tool 200 instead of using the power supply circuit 208 with backup.

  The load control unit 201 cancels the output stop state to the module input / output terminal 131 described above when detecting that the switch 204 is closed again, that is, a state where the operator resumes driving the load. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In the prior art, even if the driving of the load is stopped on the electric device side such as a cordless electric tool, there is no first signal indicating that the driving of the load is stopped. Therefore, all the battery cells in the battery pack are in the energized state. The high voltage accompanying the series voltage of all the battery cells is always applied to each part inside the battery pack, and there is a problem that the insulation reliability is lowered.

  On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack 100 receives the first signal from the outside of the battery pack, the battery modules 112 receive the first signal in parallel, By stopping the output, the series voltage of the battery cell group accommodated in the battery pack can be interrupted for each battery module 112, so that a high voltage is not constantly applied to each part inside the battery pack, and insulation reliability is improved. Can be improved.

  Furthermore, by using the module second and fourth signal output terminals 147 included in the battery module 112, the above-described insulation reliability can be synergistically improved. When the battery module 112 detects the state of the battery cell group accommodated in the battery module 112 and determines that the battery cell group cannot be discharged, the battery module 112 stops the output of each battery module 112.

  In the prior art, when one battery module among a plurality of battery modules stops outputting, the other plurality of battery modules are kept in an energized state. In this state, since a plurality of energized battery modules are held in series in the battery pack, a high voltage corresponding to the plurality of energized battery modules is frequently generated in each part inside the battery pack. It is applied by and affects the deterioration of insulation reliability.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the module controller 122 of one battery module 112 in the battery module 112 group accommodated in the battery pack 100 stops its output, the module controller 122 The second signal indicating the output stop is sent to the cordless power tool 200 via the module second / fourth signal output terminal 147, the battery pack second / fourth signal output terminal 150, and the second signal input terminal 211. It transmits to the load control part 201.

  The load control unit 201 receives the second signal, performs a driving stop process of the load unit 202, transmits the first signal to all the battery modules 112, and receives each of the battery modules 112 that has received the first signal. Can stop the output.

  The second and fourth signal output terminals 147 for each module of each battery module 112 are connected in series to the second and fourth signal output terminals 150 for the battery pack. At least one battery module 112 transmits the second signal to the load control unit 201, so that the load control unit 201 has a positional relationship with the other battery module 112 of the battery module 112 that has transmitted the second signal, The second signal can be received and detected regardless of the signal state.

  As a result, for example, even when one battery module among the plurality of battery modules 112 stops outputting and the other battery module 112 does not stop outputting, all the other battery modules 112 are subjected to the above-described method. The output is stopped, the maximum voltage applied to each part in the battery pack is suppressed to the voltage of one battery module 112, and the insulation reliability can be further improved.

  FIG. 8 shows a functional block diagram of a battery pack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a charger 300 corresponding to the battery pack 100.

  The plurality of battery modules 112 are connected in series via the module input / output terminal 131 to form a battery module 112 group, and are accommodated in the battery pack 100.

  The battery module 112 group is connected to the battery pack input / output terminal 110 and can receive power from the charger 300. The first and third signal input terminals 146 of the three battery modules 112 are connected in parallel, and are connected to the battery pack first and third signal input terminals 149 via a connection detection unit 136 having a terminal cover switch 116.

  Further, the module second and fourth signal output terminals 147 of the three battery modules 112 are connected in series, and the terminal located at the end of the series connection is connected to the battery pack second and fourth signal output terminals 150. The

  A battery charger 300 connected to the battery pack 100 receives a commercial power supply AC voltage from a commercial power supply input unit 301, converts the AC voltage into a DC voltage, and controls the DC voltage. A charge controller 303 that charges the battery module 112 group housed in the battery pack 100 is housed from the battery pack input / output terminal 110 of the pack 100.

  The battery module group 112 receives the power converted by the charger 300 for charging from the battery pack input / output terminal 110 via the charging FET 304 controlled by the charging control unit 303 and the power supply terminal 307. .

  The power converted for charging is controlled so that when the battery cell 120 is a lithium ion battery, the voltage of the battery module 112 group is constant until the voltage of the group of battery modules 112 reaches a predetermined voltage. It is preferable to perform control so that the voltage maintains the predetermined voltage after the voltage of the 112 group reaches the predetermined voltage.

  The charging control unit 303 includes a voltage detection unit 305 and a current detection unit 306, and is in a state where charging is not permitted, for example, the series voltage of the battery module 112 group exceeds a predetermined value, or the charging voltage is held constant. When a state where the charging current is lower than a predetermined value is detected in the state of charging, and it is determined that the battery pack 100 is fully charged, the power supply voltage input from the commercial power input unit 411 is the DC conversion unit 302 or the charging When the voltage value exceeds the design range of the control unit 303 and is not suitable for charging the battery pack 100, or while the battery pack 100 is being charged, the voltage or current that the charge control unit 303 sets as the control target value is maintained. In the case where it is determined that the battery pack 100 is not normally charged, the charging to the battery pack 100 is stopped in at least one of the cases, A third signal indicating that serial stopped, and transmits the first and third signal input terminal 149 for a battery pack via a third signal output terminal 308.

  Each module controller 122 of each battery module 112 of the battery pack 100 receives the first and third signal input terminals 146 for the modules connected in parallel to the first and third signal input terminals 149 for the battery pack, and charges the modules. The FET 129 is turned off, and the input of the DC voltage from the module input / output terminal 131 to the battery cell group accommodated in the module 112 is stopped.

  In addition, when the battery pack 100 is removed from the charger 300 while the charger 300 is being charged, that is, in a situation where the third signal is not transmitted from the charger 300 to the battery pack 100, the connection detection of the battery pack 100 is detected. The unit 136 detects that the terminal cover switch 116 is turned off with the removal operation.

  Since the connection detecting unit 136 is interposed between the charging control unit 303 of the charger 300 and each battery module 112 of the battery pack 100, the charging control unit 136 is detected when the off state of the terminal cover switch 116 is detected. By transmitting the third signal instead of 303, it is possible to appropriately perform the energization cutoff processing of the battery module 112.

  In the prior art, even when the charger stops charging the battery pack, there is no third signal indicating the charging stop, so that all the battery cells in the battery pack are kept energized, A high voltage accompanying the series voltage of all battery cells is always applied to each part, and there is a problem that the insulation reliability is lowered.

  On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack 100 receives the third signal from outside the battery pack, the battery modules 112 receive the third signal in parallel, and the battery modules 112 receive the third signal in parallel. Since the series voltage of the battery cell group accommodated in the battery pack can be shut off for each configuration of the battery module 112, the high voltage is not constantly applied to each part in the battery pack, and the insulation is stopped. Reliability can be improved.

Furthermore, by using the module second and fourth signal output terminals 147 included in the battery module 112, the insulation reliability can be synergistically improved. When the battery module 112 detects the state of the battery cell group accommodated in the battery module 112 and determines that charging of the battery cell group is not permitted, the battery module 112 stops the input of each battery module 112.

  In the prior art, when one battery module among the plurality of battery modules stops charging, the other plurality of battery modules are kept in an energized state. In this state, since a plurality of energized battery modules are held in series in the battery pack, a high voltage corresponding to the plurality of energized battery modules is frequently generated in each part inside the battery pack. It is applied by and affects the deterioration of insulation reliability.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the module controller 122 of one battery module 112 in the battery module 112 group housed in the battery pack 100 stops charging, the module controller 122 Charge the charger 300 via the module second and fourth signal output terminal 147, the battery pack second and fourth signal output terminal 150, and the fourth signal input terminal 309, indicating the charge stop. It transmits to the control unit 303. Each charging module 303 receives the fourth signal, performs a charging stop process for the battery pack 100, transmits the third signal to all the battery modules 112, and receives the third signal. 112 can stop charging.

  The second and fourth signal output terminals 147 for each module of each battery module 112 are connected in series to the second and fourth signal output terminals 150 for the battery pack. The at least one battery module 112 transmits the fourth signal to the charge control unit 303, so that the charge control unit 303 has a positional relationship with the other battery module 112 of the battery module 112 that transmitted the fourth signal, and The fourth signal can be received and detected regardless of the signal state.

  Thereby, for example, even in a state where one battery module among the plurality of battery modules 112 stops charging and the other battery module 112 does not stop charging, all the other battery modules 112 are also subjected to the above-described method. However, the charging is stopped, the maximum voltage applied to each part in the battery pack is suppressed to the voltage of one battery module 112, and the insulation reliability can be further improved.

  Regarding the first to fourth signal transmission / reception methods, the module controller 122 of the battery pack 100 and the load control unit 201 of the cordless electric tool 200 and the module controller 122 of the battery pack 100 and the charge control unit 303 of the charger 300 are connected. In this case, it relates to mutual control of discharge execution, charge execution, discharge stop, and charge stop, regardless of whether it is a wired system or a wireless system. Or a digital signal is not ask | required.

  In particular, in the first to fourth signals shown in FIGS. 9 to 10, for example, a first (ON) signal and a first (OFF) signal, such as a signal instructing energization and a signal instructing stop. It is divided.

  For example, in the cordless power tool system including the battery pack 100, the cordless power tool 200, and the charger 300, the voltage waveform of the signal instructing energization as a pulse voltage having a specific frequency and voltage, The voltage of the signal instructing the stop is preferably 0V.

  Thereby, the battery pack 100 charges the battery pack 100 when the battery pack 100 is removed from the cordless power tool 200 during use of the cordless power tool 200 or when the battery pack 100 is being charged by the charger 300. Means for detecting the OFF state of the terminal cover switch 116 and transmitting the first signal or the third signal to the battery module instead of the load control unit 201 or the charge control unit 303 when the battery is removed from the battery. Without using the battery module, the battery module can be stopped.

  In addition, even when any one of the circuits in the cordless power tool 200 or the charger 300 fails, the signal waveform accompanying the failure is different from the regular pulse signal. The module 112 can detect and stop the battery module.

  Further, for the second signal and the fourth signal, no dedicated terminal for transmitting the second signal and the fourth signal is provided, the load control unit 201 of the cordless power tool 200, and the charging control unit of the charger 300 303 measures the battery module group voltage of the battery module group 112 of the battery pack 100, and the change in the battery module voltage that occurs when at least one battery module 112 in the battery module group 112 stops input / output, For example, a state in which the battery module group voltage becomes zero or a state in which the battery module group voltage has changed more than a predetermined value within a predetermined time due to the stop of input / output of the at least one battery module 112 is detected. A method of shifting to an operation process after receiving the second signal and the fourth signal, assuming that the second signal and the fourth signal are equivalent to the received state. It may also be used.

  Furthermore, a dedicated terminal for transmitting the second signal and the fourth signal to the outside of the battery pack is not provided in the battery module, a new terminal is provided in the battery pack and the battery module, and the new terminal is connected to the battery module. Used to convey information other than indicating input / output stop, for example, voltage, current, temperature, module individual ID number of each part in the battery module, when the battery module stops input / output A method of adding a specific change to the information is also widely included.

A battery module 112 included in the battery pack 100 accommodates a module charging FET 129 and a module discharging FET 130. On the other hand, there is another mode in which the module charging FET 129 and the module discharging FET 130 are not housed in the battery module 112 but are arranged outside the battery module 112 while maintaining the function of the module controller 122 described above.

In this aspect , the module charging FET and the module discharging FET arranged outside the battery module configured not to accommodate the module charging FET and the module discharging FET are supplied from the module controller of the battery module. Insulation reliability equivalent to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 can be obtained by executing energization and interruption through means for receiving the instruction signal.

In the above-described embodiment , the number of each of the module charging FET and the module discharging FET is not the same as the number of the battery modules, and the plurality of battery modules are arranged between adjacent battery modules. A battery cell group can also be formed by connecting in series via a module discharge FET. That is, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and reduce the cost while ensuring the same insulation reliability in the embodiment shown in FIGS.

  Therefore, in the battery pack of the present invention for the purpose of improving the insulation reliability, the position of providing the energization interrupting element for selectively energizing and interrupting the battery cell group accommodated in the battery module is not limited to the inside or outside of the battery module. In addition, the number of the current interrupting elements accommodated in the battery pack may be equal to the number of battery modules. Further, the energization interruption element may be of any kind, such as a contact element such as a relay or a non-contact semiconductor element such as an FET.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment related to electrical control of a battery pack 100 used in a cordless power tool system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on a flowchart.

  In FIG. 9, a functional object corresponding to the cordless electric tool 200 is shown in a broad sense as an electric device. The electric device is an electric vacuum cleaner or electric scooter that repeatedly turns on and off a load drive like the cordless electric tool 200. Widely included, such as electric air compressor. The description of the flowchart below will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, and “electric device” will be described as “cordless power tool 200”.

  FIG. 9 shows a flowchart regarding discharge control between the battery pack 100 and the cordless power tool 200.

  In step S101, when the battery pack 100 is inserted into the cordless electric tool 200, the process proceeds to step S102, and otherwise, the process waits. In the embodiment of the present invention, the insertion state detection method is performed by the connection detection unit 136 provided in the battery pack 100 converting the mechanical opening / closing of the terminal cover switch 116 into an electrical signal. The cordless electric tool 200 is provided with a resistance element and a terminal connected to the resistance element, and the battery pack 100 is provided with a terminal for detecting the resistance element. There is a method of detecting it as an electrical signal, and the method is not limited to one.

  In step S <b> 102, the module controller 122 of the battery module 112 detects the voltage, temperature, and current of at least one battery cell 120 in the battery cell 120 group accommodated in the battery module 112. In step S <b> 103, the module controller 122 is in a state where at least one of the battery cells 120 is at a voltage equal to or lower than a predetermined value indicating overdischarge, the battery cell temperature is a low temperature that affects the life of the battery cell 120, or a high temperature. In addition, when at least one of a state exceeding the temperature range where discharge can be permitted or a state in which the voltage variation between the battery cells exceeds a predetermined value due to failure of the battery cell 120 or the like is detected, the battery is not in a dischargeable state. The process proceeds to step S119. Otherwise, it is determined that the battery is in a dischargeable state, and the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, the module controller 122 of the battery module 112 turns on the module discharging FET 130. In step S105, the module controller 122 transmits a second (ON) signal indicating that the module discharging FET 130 is in the ON state to the load control unit 201 of the cordless power tool 200, and proceeds to step S113.

  In step S <b> 113, the module controller 122 of the battery module 112 detects the voltage, temperature, and current of at least one battery cell 120 in the battery cell 120 group accommodated in the battery module 112. In step S114, when the module controller 122 detects that at least one of the battery cells 120 has a voltage equal to or lower than a predetermined value indicating overdischarge, the step is performed in order to prevent deterioration of the electrode plate of the battery cell due to overdischarge. The process proceeds to S117, and if not, the process proceeds to Step S115.

  In step S115, the module controller 122 of the battery module 112 sets the unit of the battery cell 120 in a state where the battery cell temperature exceeds a temperature range in which discharge can be permitted, such as a low temperature or a high temperature that affects the life of the battery cell 120. A state where the temperature rise per hour is a predetermined value or more, a voltage variation between battery cells becomes a predetermined value or more due to a failure of the battery cell 120, or the load current exceeds the allowable energization range of the battery cell 120 If at least one of the overloaded states is detected, it is determined that the battery cell 120 is abnormal, and the process proceeds to step S117. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S116. Note that it is also possible to detect a state in which the voltage monitor line 123 is disconnected by detecting the voltage variation described above.

  In step S116, the module controller 122 of the battery module 112 receives a first (OFF) signal indicating that the load control unit 201 has stopped driving the load unit 202 from the load control unit 201 of the cordless power tool 200. . If the first (OFF) signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S117. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S108, and the module discharge FET 130 is kept on.

  The first (OFF) signal is connected to each module first and third signal input terminals 146 of each battery module 112 accommodated in the battery pack 100 as shown in FIG. When the load control unit 201 transmits the first (OFF) signal, each module controller 122 of each battery module 112 accommodated in the battery pack 100 receives the first (OFF) signal in parallel, that is, adjacent to each other. Regardless of the state of the other battery module 112, all the module controllers 122 receive the same first (OFF) signal at the same time, and perform the execution process of step S116, respectively.

  In step S117, the module controller 122 of at least one battery module 112 in the battery module 112 group turns off the module discharge FET 130 corresponding to the at least one battery module 112.

  The battery module 112 group is configured by connecting a plurality of battery modules 112 in series with each other, but the number of the battery modules 112 is smaller than the total number of battery cells 120 accommodated in the battery pack 100 by executing step S117. A number of battery cells 120 are electrically disconnected so as to form a plurality of battery cell groups connected in series. As a result, the total voltage in series connection of the plurality of battery cells 120 that are always in a conductive state with each other is lower than the total voltage in series connection of all the battery cells 120 accommodated in the battery pack 100. (For example, even if rainwater enters the battery pack 100, the strength of the property that the user does not have an electric shock) is improved.

  In step S118, the module controller 122 outputs a second (OFF) signal indicating that the output of the DC voltage of the battery cells 120 of the battery module 112 from the module input / output terminal 131 of the battery module 112 is cordless. It transmits to the load control part 201 of the electric tool 200, and progresses to step S112.

  In step S106, the load control unit 201 of the cordless power tool 200 receives the second (ON) signal transmitted from the module controller 122 of the battery module 112 in step S105, and proceeds to step S107. In step S <b> 107, the load control unit 201 determines that power can be received from the battery module 120 group of the battery pack 100, and starts driving the load unit 202.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the second (ON) signal is connected to the module second and fourth signal output terminals 147 of the battery modules 112 housed in the battery pack 100, so that the battery pack If all the battery modules 112 of the battery module 112 group accommodated in 100 do not transmit the second (ON) signal, the load control unit 201 does not recognize the second (ON) signal.

  That is, when the other battery module 112 adjacent to the battery module 112 that has transmitted the second (ON) signal cannot transmit the second (ON) signal due to a failure or the like, the load control unit 201 performs the second (ON) ON) signal cannot be received, the sequence after step S106 is not executed, and driving of the cordless power tool 200 is not started.

  In step S108, the load control unit 201 of the cordless power tool 200 detects the battery pack voltage, that is, the voltage and current of the battery pack input / output terminal 110 of the battery pack 100. In step S109, when the load control unit 201 detects that the battery pack voltage falls below a predetermined value and is in an overdischarge state, the process proceeds to step S119, and if not, the process proceeds to step S110.

  When the module controller 122 of the battery module 112 stops outputting the DC voltage of the battery cell group 120 accommodated in the battery module 112 in step S117, the battery pack voltage constituted by the series voltage of the battery module group decreases. Therefore, it is possible to make a judgment by overlapping in step S109.

  In step S110, the load control unit 201 of the cordless power tool 200 detects the overload state in which the magnitude of the load current exceeds the allowable energization range of the load unit 202, or during the driving of the load unit 202, the load When the control unit 201 cannot maintain the voltage or current as the control target value and detects that the load unit 202 is in an abnormal state, the process proceeds to step S119. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S111. move on.

In step S111, the load control unit 201 of the cordless power tool 200 detects that the switch 204 is forcibly turned off by the operator regardless of the control state of the load control unit 201. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S120 , and if not, the process proceeds to step S112.

  The predetermined time may be appropriately set according to the use of the electric device, for example, 0.1 seconds if it is short and 1 day if it is long. In particular, in the case of the cordless power tool 200, as the setting of the predetermined time is shortened, the output of the battery module 112 is restarted in response to the ON operation of the switch 204 in accordance with the control process that returns from step S121 to S123 to step S102. The state in which the user arbitrarily opens and closes the switch 204 is substantially linked to the state in which the series voltage of the battery cells 120 housed in the battery pack 100 is cut off and energized for each configuration of the battery module 112. The time during which a high voltage is applied to the battery pack can be minimized to improve insulation reliability.

  In step S112, when the load control unit 201 of the cordless power tool 200 receives the second (OFF) signal transmitted from the module controller 122 of at least one battery module 112 in the battery module 112 group in step S118. The process proceeds to step S119. If not, the process returns to step S108, and the driving of the load unit 202 is continued.

  In step S119, the load control unit 201 of the cordless electric tool 200 stops driving the load unit 202. In step S120, the load control unit 201 sends the module controller 122 included in each battery module 112 of the battery pack 100 to each module controller 122. The first (OFF) signal indicating that the driving of the load unit 202 is stopped is transmitted. The first (OFF) signal is controlled in step S116.

  In step S121, the load control unit 201 of the cordless electric tool 200 stands by until the switch detection unit 205 detects that the switch 204 is turned on by the operator. When it is detected that the switch 204 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S122.

  In step S122, the load control unit 201 transmits a first (ON) signal indicating that the switch 204 is turned on to each module controller 122 included in each battery module 112 of the battery pack 100.

  In step S123, each module controller 122 receives the first (ON) signal and returns to step S102. In step S102 and subsequent steps, the battery modules 112 are set in an output state, and the load section of the cordless electric tool 200 is loaded. The driving of 202 is resumed.

  FIG. 10 shows a flowchart relating to charging control between the battery pack 100 and the charger 300.

  In step S201, if the battery pack 100 is inserted into the charger 300, the process proceeds to step S202, and if not, the process waits. In the embodiment of the present invention, the insertion state detection method is performed by the connection detection unit 136 provided in the battery pack 100 converting the mechanical opening / closing of the terminal cover switch 116 into an electrical signal. The charger 300 is provided with a resistance element and a terminal connected to the resistance element, and the battery pack 100 is provided with a terminal for detecting the resistance element, and the state where the resistance element is connected is directly There is a method of detecting as a signal, and the method is not limited to one.

  In step S <b> 202, the module controller 122 of the battery module 112 detects the voltage, temperature, and current of at least one battery cell 120 in the battery cell 120 group accommodated in the battery module 112. In step S <b> 203, the module controller 122 is in a state where at least one of the battery cells 120 is at a voltage higher than or equal to a predetermined value due to full charge, and the battery cell temperature is a low temperature or a high temperature that affects the life of the battery cell 120. The battery is not in a chargeable state when at least one of a state exceeding the temperature range in which charging can be permitted or a state in which the voltage variation between the battery cells exceeds a predetermined value due to a failure of the battery cell 120 is detected. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step S218. If not, it is determined that charging is possible, and the process proceeds to step S204.

  In step S204, the module controller 122 of the battery module 112 turns on the module charging FET 129. In step S205, the module controller 122 transmits a fourth (ON) signal indicating that the module charging FET 129 is in the ON state to the charging control unit 303 of the charger 300, and proceeds to step S212.

  In step S <b> 212, the module controller 122 of the battery module 112 detects the voltage, temperature, and current of at least one battery cell 120 in the battery cell 120 group that the battery module 112 accommodates. In step S213, when the module controller 122 detects that at least one of the battery cells 120 has a voltage equal to or higher than a predetermined value indicating overcharge, the module controller 122 is configured to prevent the battery cell electrode plate from being deteriorated due to overcharge. The process proceeds to S216, and if not, the process proceeds to step S214.

  In step S214, the module controller 122 of the battery module 112 sets the unit of the battery cell 120 in a state where the battery cell temperature exceeds a temperature range in which charging can be permitted, such as a low temperature or a high temperature that affects the life of the battery cell 120. A state where the temperature rise per hour is a predetermined value or more, a state where the voltage variation between the battery cells becomes a predetermined value or more due to a failure of the battery cell 120, or the charging current exceeds the allowable energization range of the battery cell 120 If at least one of the overcurrent charging states is detected, it is determined that the battery cell 120 is abnormal, and the process proceeds to step S216. If not, the process proceeds to step S215. Note that it is also possible to detect a state in which the voltage monitor line 123 is disconnected by detecting the voltage variation described above.

  In step S <b> 215, the module controller 122 of the battery module 112 receives a third (OFF) signal indicating that the charge control unit 303 has stopped charging the battery pack 100 from the charge control unit 303 of the charger 300. If the third (OFF) signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S216; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S208, and the module charging FET 129 is kept on.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the third (OFF) signal is connected in parallel to the first and third signal input terminals 146 for each module of each battery module 112 accommodated in the battery pack 100. When the charging control unit 303 transmits the third (OFF) signal, each module controller 122 of each battery module 112 accommodated in the battery pack 100 receives the third (OFF) signal in parallel, that is, adjacent to each other. Regardless of the state of the other battery module 112, all the module controllers 122 receive the same third (OFF) signal at the same time, and execute the execution process of step S215, respectively.

  In step S216, the module controller 122 of at least one battery module 112 in the battery module 112 group turns off the module charging FET 129.

  The battery module 112 group is configured by connecting a plurality of battery modules 112 in series with each other. However, the battery module 112 is less than the total number of battery cells 120 accommodated in the battery pack 100 by executing step S216. A number of battery cells 120 are electrically disconnected so as to form a plurality of battery cell groups connected in series. As a result, the total voltage in series connection of the plurality of battery cells 120 that are always in a conductive state with each other is lower than the total voltage in series connection of all the battery cells 120 accommodated in the battery pack 100. (For example, even if rainwater enters the battery pack 100, the strength of the property that the user does not have an electric shock) is improved.

In step S217, the module controller 122 outputs a fourth (OFF) signal indicating that the input of the DC voltage from the module input / output terminal 131 of the battery module 112 to the battery cell group 120 of the battery module 112 is stopped, It transmits to the charge control part 303 of the charger 300, and progresses to step S211.

  In step S206, the charging control unit 303 of the charger 300 receives the fourth (ON) signal transmitted from the module controller 122 of the battery module 112 in step S205, and proceeds to step S207. In step S207, the charging control unit 303 determines that power can be supplied to the battery module 120 group of the battery pack 100, and starts charging the battery pack 100.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the fourth (ON) signal is connected to the module second and fourth signal output terminals 147 of the battery modules 112 accommodated in the battery pack 100, so that the battery pack If all the battery modules 112 in the battery module 112 group accommodated in 100 do not transmit the fourth (ON) signal, the charging control unit 303 does not recognize the fourth (ON) signal.

  That is, when the other battery module 112 adjacent to the battery module 112 that transmitted the fourth (ON) signal cannot transmit the fourth (ON) signal due to a failure or the like, ON) signal cannot be received, the sequence after step S206 is not executed, and charging of the battery pack 100 is not started.

  In step S208, the charging control unit 303 of the charger 300 detects the battery pack voltage, that is, the voltage and current of the battery pack input / output terminal 110 of the battery pack 100. In step S209, the charging control unit 303 determines whether the battery pack voltage exceeds a predetermined value or whether the charging current is lower than a predetermined value in constant voltage charging control for maintaining the battery pack voltage at a predetermined voltage. If it is detected that the battery is fully charged, the process proceeds to step S218. If not, the process proceeds to step S210.

  In step S210, the charging control unit 303 of the charger 300 detects that the charging current exceeds the allowable energization range of at least one of the charging control unit 303, the DC conversion unit 302, and the battery module 112 group. When the current charging state is detected or during charging of the battery pack 100, the charging control unit 303 cannot maintain the voltage or current as the control target value, and the charging control unit 303 detects that it is in an abnormal state. In any case, the process proceeds to step S218, and if not, the process proceeds to step S211.

  As a method for detecting that the charging control unit 303 is in an abnormal state, the commercial power supply voltage input to the DC conversion unit 302 is directly applied to the method for detecting the charging voltage or charging current of the battery pack 100 described above. A method of measuring and determining whether the commercial power supply voltage is correctly input may be added.

  In step S211, the charging control unit 303 of the charger 300 receives the fourth (OFF) signal transmitted from the module controller 122 of at least one battery module 112 in the battery module 112 group in step S217. The process proceeds to step S218. If not, the process returns to step S208, and charging of the battery pack 100 is continued.

  In step S218, the charging control unit 303 of the charger 300 stops charging the battery pack 100. In step S219, the charging control unit 303 sends the module controller 122 included in each battery module 112 of the battery pack 100 to the module controller 122. A third (OFF) signal indicating that charging of the battery pack 100 is stopped is transmitted. The third (OFF) signal is controlled in step S215, and the process proceeds to step S216.

  As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present invention was described in detail based on a drawing, this is an illustration, and it is various based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art including the aspect described in the section of the [Disclosure of the Invention]. The present invention can be implemented in other forms that have been modified or improved.

Claims (2)

A battery pack system comprising an electric device and a battery pack used as a power source for the electric device,
The battery pack is
A battery cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series;
And a discharge output for supplying a discharge output of the battery cell group to the electric device,
The electrical equipment is
A power input terminal that is connected to the discharge output terminal and receives power from the battery pack;
A load unit that operates when power is supplied from the power input terminal ;
A switch operated respectively to the on and off by an operator to the operator driving the and stopping of the load portion is selectively controlled, when operated off the switch itself, the When the power input terminal and the load section are cut off from each other to stop the power supply from the battery pack to the load section and are turned on, the switch itself turns off the power input terminal and the load section. Energizing each other to permit power supply from the battery pack to the load unit;
Including
The battery pack system further includes:
A switch detection unit for detecting on / off of the switch;
A power storage unit that accumulates power supplied from the battery pack, and when the power supply from the battery pack to the load unit is stopped, supplies power to the switch detection unit, thereby Enabling the operation of the switch detector,
When the switch is turned off based on a signal from the switch detection unit, a stop command signal is output to instruct to stop power supply from the battery pack to the load unit, while the switch is turned on. A first control means for outputting a permission command signal for commanding permission of power supply from the battery pack to the load unit;
A plurality of energization interrupting elements provided between the battery cells to selectively realize series connection of the plurality of battery cells ;
The second control means connected to the first control means and the plurality of energization cutoff elements, and when the first control means outputs the permission command signal , all of the plurality of energization cutoff elements are When power is supplied from the battery pack to the load unit in order to realize the serial connection of the plurality of battery cells in an energized state, while the first control means outputs the stop command signal The plurality of energization interrupting elements are all in an interrupted state, and the series connection of the plurality of battery cells is not realized, so that the power supply from the battery pack to the load unit is stopped. A battery pack system including a device that controls a current-carrying-off element. Furthermore, a charger for charging the battery pack is provided,
The charger is
A voltage conversion unit that receives an AC voltage of a commercial power supply and converts the AC voltage into a DC voltage;
A charge control unit that controls the converted DC voltage and controls charging of the battery module group by the controlled DC voltage;
Including
The charge controller is
Charging stopping means for stopping charging of the battery pack by the charger;
When the charging stop means stops charging by the charger, a transmitting means for transmitting a charge stop signal indicating the stop of charging to the battery pack;
Including
The battery pack includes a controller that, when receiving the charge stop signal from the charge control unit, switches the energization cut-off element to the cut-off state, thereby stopping input of a voltage to the battery cell group. The battery pack system described in 1.

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