JP5724790B2 - Charging device and printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging device for charging a rechargeable battery unit and a printing system including the charging device.

  For example, a charging device that charges a plurality of batteries is already known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this prior art, a plurality of lithium ion batteries are sequentially charged. Then, when one lithium ion battery that is initially charged is nearly fully charged and switched from constant current charging to constant voltage charging, when the charging current gradually decreases, the charging current corresponding to the decreased value is obtained. In use, another lithium ion battery is precharged simultaneously. Thereby, shortening of the charge time of a some lithium ion battery is achieved.

JP-A-8-308123

  However, in the above prior art, since a plurality of batteries are sequentially charged one by one, for example, a user who wants to use a plurality of batteries mounted on the device at the same time until the last battery is fully charged (that is, I had to wait (even if other batteries were fully charged) and it was not easy to use. Further, when charging a plurality of batteries one by one as described above, each battery is charged at an allowable maximum charging current value, leading to a reduction in battery life.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a charging device and a printing system capable of improving the convenience of a user who simultaneously attaches a plurality of batteries to a device and improving the battery life by making the plurality of batteries substantially fully charged at the same time. Is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention acquires a plurality of mounting portions each mounting a plurality of specific types of battery means, and remaining capacity information of each of the plurality of battery means mounted on the plurality of mounting portions. And a distribution ratio for distributing a predetermined charging current value predetermined for the specific type to each of the plurality of battery means in the acquisition result of the remaining capacity information acquisition means. The predetermined charging current value is distributed according to the distribution ratio set by the distribution ratio setting means to the distribution ratio setting means and the battery means mounted in each of the plurality of mounting portions. a current control means for supplying to charging, has a detachment detection means for detecting the mounting or removal of the battery unit to the plurality of mounting portions, respectively, the remaining capacity information acquiring unit, the detachable detection hand When a new attachment of the battery means to at least one of the attachment parts is detected or a new removal of the battery means from the at least one attachment part is detected, the new attachment or In response to a new removal, the remaining capacity information of each of the plurality of battery means is newly acquired, and the distribution ratio setting means newly sets the distribution ratio according to the newly acquired acquisition result, The current control unit performs the charging by supplying a current having a current value corresponding to the newly set distribution ratio .

  The charging device of the present invention includes a plurality of mounting portions. Each attachment unit is provided with one specific type of battery means, and the charging device as a whole performs a charging process by a so-called constant current method for the plurality of battery means. Specifically, the remaining capacity information acquisition unit acquires the remaining capacity information of each of the plurality of battery units mounted on the plurality of mounting units. Thereby, the remaining capacity of each battery means is recognized on the charging device side. At this time, a predetermined charging current value for charging the specific type by the constant current method is predetermined, and the distribution ratio setting means distributes the predetermined charging current value to each battery means. Is set in accordance with the recognized remaining capacity of each battery means. The current control means distributes and supplies the predetermined charging current value to each battery means according to the set distribution ratio, thereby charging the plurality of battery means.

  As a result, the battery means having a relatively large remaining capacity (= uncharged capacity is relatively small) is supplied with a relatively small current by reducing the distribution ratio and has a relatively small remaining capacity. (= Relatively large uncharged capacity) The battery means can be supplied with as much current as possible by increasing the distribution ratio. As a result, depending on the remaining capacity, all of the plurality of battery means can be almost fully charged almost simultaneously. As a result, for example, it is particularly convenient for a user who wants to use a plurality of battery means by attaching them to a device at the same time. Further, by distributing and supplying the predetermined charging current value according to the distribution ratio, the current value supplied to each battery means is necessarily smaller than the predetermined charging current value. As a result, the battery can be prevented from being deteriorated and the durability can be improved as compared with a method in which the predetermined charging current value itself is sequentially supplied to each battery means and rapidly charged.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user who simultaneously attaches the plurality of battery means to the device and to improve the battery life by substantially charging the plurality of battery means almost simultaneously.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer that uses a battery charged by a charging device of the present invention. It is sectional drawing by the FF cross section in FIG. 1, and sectional drawing by the GG cross section. It is a top view showing schematic structure of the charging device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a circuit diagram showing the electric constitution of a charging device. It is a flowchart showing the control content performed by CPU. It is explanatory drawing of the duty control performed in order to distribute a charging current value. It is explanatory drawing showing the modification which fast-charges a some battery pack one by one. It is explanatory drawing showing the method of embodiment which charges a some battery pack simultaneously in parallel. It is a circuit diagram showing the electric constitution in the modification which detects attachment or detachment of a battery pack with a thermistor. It is a circuit diagram showing the electrical structure in the modification which detects mounting | wearing or removal of a battery pack using the change of a voltage.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is an embodiment relating to a charging device capable of charging a battery power source used in a rechargeable printer.

<Printer>
First, a printer (printing apparatus) that uses a battery power source that is a charging process target of the charging apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower right direction in FIG. 1 is defined as right, the upper left direction is defined as left, the upper right direction is defined as rear, the lower left direction is defined as forward, the upper direction is defined as upward, and the downward direction is defined as downward (each figure). (See illustration of arrows).

  The printer 1 can be driven using a rechargeable battery power source (details will be described later) as a power source, and executes printing corresponding to print data received from an external device (not shown). The printer 1 and the charging device 200 described later constitute a printing system according to this embodiment.

  The printer 1 includes a substantially box-shaped casing 100 that constitutes the outline of the apparatus. The housing 100 includes a top cover 101 that constitutes the upper part of the apparatus outer shell and an under cover 102 that constitutes the lower part of the apparatus outer shell. The top cover 101 includes a fixed portion 101A and an opening / closing lid 101B.

  A roll storage portion 161 is provided below the opening / closing lid 101B of the top cover 101 (inside the housing 100) (see FIG. 2). In the roll storage unit 161, the roll paper S is rotatably supported at both ends by a support member (not shown) so that the roll paper S (covered paper) is continuously provided from the roll storage unit 161. Printing medium) can be supplied. At this time, the opening / closing lid 101B is rotatably connected to the rear end portion of the under cover 102 through the hinge portion H, and the roll storage portion 161 is exposed to the outside of the apparatus by opening the opening / closing lid 101B. Thus, the roll paper S can be easily mounted or replaced. A discharge port 107 for discharging the roll paper S after printing is provided at a substantially central portion of the top cover 101 in the front-rear direction.

  A platen roller 111 (conveying means) is rotatably supported at the front end of the opening / closing lid 101B. The platen roller 111 conveys the roll paper S when the opening / closing lid 101B is in the closed state.

  A desired print is formed by the thermal line head 112 (printing means) that contacts the platen roller 111 with a predetermined pressure contact force with the roll paper S conveyed as described above. At this time, a drive motor that generates a driving force for rotationally driving the platen roller 111 is provided in the housing 100. When the open / close lid 101B is closed, the driving force of the motor is driven by a gear mechanism (not shown). It is transmitted to the roller 111. Note that the drive of the drive motor is controlled by a control board 170 (see FIG. 2A) disposed behind the housing 100.

  Below the control board 170 in the housing 100, there is provided a battery power storage 163 (see FIG. 2A) in which the battery power is inserted from the lower surface side of the under cover 102. Although not shown in the battery power storage unit 163, the battery power is stored horizontally from the viewpoint of stability and center of gravity arrangement. The control board 170 controls the thermal line head 112, the drive motor, and the like while using electric power supplied from the battery power stored in the battery power storage unit 163. Note that the battery power source includes a lithium ion battery in this example.

<Overview of printer operation>
In the above configuration, at the time of printing, print data is transmitted from the external device such as a PC terminal or a mobile phone to the printer 1 via wireless communication (or wired communication or infrared communication). Further, the roll paper S is fed out from the roll storage portion 161 by the rotation of the platen roller 111 based on the driving force of the driving motor. The fed roll paper S is inserted between the thermal line head 112 and the platen roller 111, and the thermal line head 112 performs printing in a desired mode on the roll paper S based on the print data. The printed roll paper S is discharged from the discharge port 107 to the outside of the housing 100. At this time, fixed teeth 160 are attached to the main chassis member 150 along the discharge port 107 inside the discharge port 107. The user can manually cut the end portion of the roll paper S that has been printed as described above and discharged from the discharge port 107 using the fixed teeth 160.

<Charging device>
In the present embodiment, the charging process is performed by the charging device on the battery power stored in the battery power storage unit 163. As this battery power source, in this example, a battery pack as a battery means is used in which a plurality of specific types of rechargeable batteries such as a rechargeable lithium ion battery are combined into one pack.

<Schematic configuration of charging device>
In the charging device of the present embodiment, the charging process can be performed simultaneously on the plurality of battery packs. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the charging device 200 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, four one-touch holder type (drop-in type) mounting parts 201 a to which four battery packs B 1, B 2, B 3 and B 4 are individually mounted. , 201b, 201c, 201d, a charging device main body 204, an adapter 202, and a plug 203. The charging device main body 204 is connected to an adapter 202, and the adapter 202 is connected to an outlet (AC power supply) via a plug 203. As a result, the battery packs B1, B2, B3, and B4 mounted on the mounting portions 201a, 201b, 201c, and 201d of the charging apparatus main body 204 are subjected to charging processing by a so-called constant current method (details will be described later). ).

<Electrical configuration of the charging device>
FIG. 4 illustrates the electrical configuration of the charging apparatus 200 with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, the charging device 200 includes a constant current circuit 15 (constant current generating means), a constant voltage circuit 16, a main switch SW0, a CPU 12, a voltage detection unit 13, a mounting detection unit 14, and four currents. It has control switches SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, detection switches SWa, SWb, SWc, SWd, and the mounting portions 201a, 201b, 201c, 201d. For the sake of convenience, only one battery symbol is shown in each of the mounting portions 201a, 201b, 201c, and 201d for the sake of convenience (the same applies to FIGS. 9 and 10 described later).

  The constant current circuit 15 and the constant voltage circuit 16 are connected in parallel to the power source 11 composed of the outlet (AC power source) or the like. The constant current circuit 15 and the constant voltage circuit 16 are selectively connected to the power source 11 by the main switch SW0 switched by the CPU 12. The constant current circuit 15 generates a constant current having a predetermined charging current value based on the power supplied from the power supply 11. The constant voltage circuit 16 generates a predetermined constant voltage based on the power supplied from the power supply 11.

  Each of the mounting portions 201a, 201b, 201c, and 201d includes a charging terminal (not shown). Each charging terminal is electrically connected to the terminals of the battery packs B1 to B4 when the battery packs B1 to B4 are mounted on the mounting portions 201a to 201d. Hereinafter, the battery packs B1, B2, B3, and B4 will be simply referred to as “battery pack B” unless particularly distinguished from each other. Similarly, the mounting portions 201a, 201b, 201c, and 201d are simply referred to as “mounting portions 201” unless otherwise distinguished. The mounting portions 201a, 201b, 201c, and 201d are provided with the press-type detection switches SWa, SWb, SWc, and SWd. One side of each of the detection switches SWa, SWb, SWc, SWd is connected to the mounting detection unit 14 and the other side is grounded. When the battery packs B1 to B4 are attached to the attachment portions 201a to 201d, the detection switches SWa to d are turned on, and when the battery packs B1 to B4 are removed, the detection switches SWa to B4 are turned off. The attachment detection unit 14 detects the attachment or removal of the battery packs B1 to B4 with respect to the attachment units 201a to 201d based on the change in the state, and inputs a corresponding detection signal to the CPU 12.

  Moreover, each battery pack B1, B2, B3, B4 is provided with a coulometer (not shown) (remaining capacity information detecting means). Remaining capacity information of each battery pack B1, B2, B3, B4 detected by each coulomb meter by a known method is, when attached to the attaching parts 201a, 201b, 201c, 201d, via an appropriate signal path (not shown), Acquired by the mounting detector 14. Instead of using a coulomb meter, each battery pack B1, B2, B3, B4 is caused to perform a predetermined amount of discharge by a known method, and each battery pack B1, B2, B3, B4 is determined according to the voltage drop at that time. May be acquired.

  The current control switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4 are connected to the main switch SW0, and the current supplied from the constant current circuit 15 or the constant voltage circuit 16 is supplied to each of the mounting portions 201a to 201d via the charging terminals. Supply to battery packs B1-B4. At that time, the current control switches SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4 are turned on and off by the control signal of the CPU 12, respectively, and the constant current generated by the constant current circuit 15 is changed to each battery according to a preset distribution ratio. It is distributed and supplied to the packs B1, B2, B3, B4. Specifically, the current control switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4 perform duty control based on the control of the CPU 2012 to distribute and supply current to each of the battery packs B1, B2, B3, and B4 according to the energization time ratio ( Details will be described later).

  The voltage detection unit 13 can detect the voltage value of the current supplied to each of the mounting units 201a, 201b, 201c, and 201d, and inputs a corresponding detection signal to a predetermined input port of the CPU 12.

<Control procedure>
Next, the control procedure executed by the CPU 12 will be described with reference to FIG. For example, as described above, when the adapter 202 shown in FIG. 3 is connected to an outlet (AC power supply) via the plug 203 (when the power supply 11 shown in FIG. 4 is turned on), the adapter 202 shown in FIG. The flow starts.

  In FIG. 5, first, in step S10, the CPU 12 determines one of the mounting portions 201a, 201b, 201c, and 201d based on the detection result in the mounting detection unit 14 via the detection switches SWa, SWb, SWc, and SWd. Then, it is determined whether or not there are newly installed battery packs B1, B2, B3, B4.

  When there is no newly installed battery pack B1, B2, B3, B4, the determination in step S10 is not satisfied (step S10: NO), and the loop waits until the determination is satisfied. On the other hand, if there are newly installed battery packs B1, B2, B3, B4, the determination in step S10 is satisfied (step S10: YES), and the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S20, the CPU 12 inputs the n (four in the example of FIG. 4) battery packs B1, B2, and B3 that are input from the coulomb meter to the mounting detection unit 14 as described above. , B4 is acquired. The remaining capacity is obtained by subtracting the uncharged capacity from the total capacity in each of the battery packs B1 to B4. The obtained remaining capacity of each of the battery packs B1 to B4 is stored in an appropriate location (for example, a memory provided separately on the control board 170). In addition, this step S20 functions as a remaining capacity information acquisition unit described in each claim. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S30, the CPU 12 sets distribution ratios k1, k2,..., Kn based on the remaining capacity acquisition information of all n battery packs acquired in step S20. Since n = 4 in the above example, the distribution ratios k1, k2, k3, k4 for the battery packs B1 to B4 are set. In detail, according to the acquisition result of the remaining capacity information, the supply current value is small for the battery packs B1, B2, B3, and B4 having a relatively large remaining capacity, and the battery pack B1 having a relatively small remaining capacity. , B2, B3, and B4, the distribution ratios k1, k2, k3, and k4 are set so that the supply current value becomes a large value.

For example, when the remaining charge is 100%, the remaining capacity of the battery pack B1 is 70% (that is, the uncharged capacity is 30%), and the remaining capacity of the battery pack B2 is 50% (uncharged capacity is 50%). Consider the case where the remaining capacity of the battery pack B3 is 40% (uncharged capacity 60%) and the remaining capacity of the battery pack B4 is 30% (uncharged capacity 70%). In this case, in this example, on the basis of the uncharged capacity of each battery pack B1 to B4, the distribution ratio is determined by the ratio of the uncharged capacity of each battery pack to the total uncharged capacity of all the battery packs B1 to B4. It is determined. That is,
Distribution ratio k1 of battery pack B1 (uncharged capacity 30%) is
k1 = (30) / (30 + 50 + 60 + 70)
= 3/21
Distribution ratio k2 of battery pack B2 (uncharged capacity 50%) is
k2 = (50) / (30 + 50 + 60 + 70)
= 5/21
Distribution ratio k3 of battery pack B3 (uncharged capacity 60%) is
k4 = (60) / (30 + 50 + 60 + 70)
= 6/21
Distribution ratio k4 of battery pack B4 (70% uncharged capacity)
k4 = (70) / (30 + 50 + 60 + 70)
= 7/21
Set to This step S30 functions as distribution ratio setting means described in each claim. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S40.

  In step S40, the CPU 12 switches the main switch SW0 to the constant current circuit 15 side (if it has already been switched to the constant current circuit 15 side, it is left as it is). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S50.

In step S50, the CPU 12 operates the current control switches SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, and the n batteries are supplied with the constant currents corresponding to the distribution ratios k1, k2,..., Kn set in step S40. Charge the packs in parallel. In this example, n = 4 as described above, and the distribution ratios k1, k2,... With respect to a known charging current value Imax determined in advance for a specific type of rechargeable battery (in this example, a lithium ion battery). A current value multiplied by kn is supplied to each of the battery packs B1 to B4. That is,
For battery pack B1 (distribution ratio k1)
k1 × Imax
= 3/21 x Imax
For battery pack B2 (distribution ratio k2)
k2 x Imax
= 5/21 × Imax
For battery pack B3 (distribution ratio k3)
k3 x Imax
= 6/21 x Imax
For battery pack B4 (distribution ratio k4)
k4 x Imax
= 7/21 x Imax
Current value is supplied.

  Specifically, duty control is performed by setting the ratio of the energization time described above. In other words, the current control switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4 are controlled so that the time ratios of the conduction times (energization times) for each time period are 3: 5: 6: 7. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the above time ratio is realized during a period of 1 [sec]. In this example, the conduction time of the current control switch SW1 in the above 1 second period is determined by a control signal from the CPU 12. Is 3/21 [sec], the conduction time of the current control switch SW2 is 5/21 [sec], the conduction time of the current control switch SW3 is 6/21 [sec], and the conduction time of the current control switch SW4 is 7 On / off control of each switch by the CPU 12 is executed so as to be / 21 [sec]. As a result, current values corresponding to the distribution ratios k1, k2, k3, k4 are distributed and supplied to the battery packs B1, B2, B3, B4 stored in the storage units 201a, 201b, 201c, 201d. .

  It should be noted that, instead of the duty control using the time ratio in the current control switches SW1 to SW4 as described above, other appropriate methods (analog control / digital control may be used) such as known pulse width modulation (PWM). ) May be used to distribute and supply current values according to the distribution ratios k1, k2, k3, and k4.

  The step S50 functions as current limiting means described in each claim and also functions as current control means. When step S50 is completed, the process proceeds to step S60.

  In step S60, as in step S10, the CPU 12 applies to any one of the mounting units 201a, 201b, 201c, 201d,... Based on the detection result in the mounting detection unit 14 via the detection switches SWa to SWd. It is determined whether or not the battery packs B1, B2, B3, B4.

  If there are newly installed or removed battery packs B1, B2, B3, B4..., The determination in step S60 is satisfied (step S60: YES), and the same procedure is returned to step S20. repeat. On the other hand, if there is no newly installed or removed battery pack B1, B2, B3, B4..., The determination in step S60 is not satisfied (step S60: NO), and the process proceeds to step S70. In addition, this step S60 and above-mentioned step S10 function as attachment / detachment detection means described in each claim.

  In step S70, based on the detection result of the voltage detector 13, the CPU 12 determines whether or not all the voltage values of the battery packs B1, B2, B3, B4,. This end voltage is a known value set in advance for each type of battery. That is, in general, when constant current charging is performed, constant current charging is terminated upon reaching the end voltage, and thereafter constant voltage charging is performed. Also in this embodiment, such a general end voltage value is used in step S70. If the voltage values of the battery packs B1, B2, B3, B4,... Have not reached the end voltage, the determination in step S70 is not satisfied (step S70: NO), and the same procedure is repeated by returning to step S50. On the other hand, when all the voltage values of battery packs B1, B2, B3, B4,... Reach the end voltage, the determination in step S70 is satisfied (step S70: YES), and the process proceeds to step S80.

  In step S80, the CPU 12 switches the main switch SW0 to the constant voltage circuit 16 side. Thus, the current control switches SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4 are connected to the constant voltage circuit 16, respectively. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S90.

  In step S90, the CPU 12 receives the fact that all the voltage values of the battery packs B1, B2, B3, B4,... After the constant voltage charging is performed on the battery packs B1 to B4, this flow is finished.

  The effect of the charging device 200 of this embodiment described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Comparative example>
FIG. 7 shows a comparative example of this embodiment. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to the parts equivalent to the charging device 200 of the above embodiment. In this comparative example, four battery packs B1, B2, B3, and B4 are mounted on the four mounting portions 201a, 201b, 201c, and 201d, respectively. Then, for each of the battery packs B1 to B4 attached to each of the attachment portions 201a to 201d, one battery pack in order (in this example, battery pack B1 → battery pack B2 → battery pack B3 → battery pack B4). ), The fastest charging in each battery pack is executed by supplying the maximum current value Imax.

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which the battery pack B1 attached to the attachment portion 201a is charged with a constant current at the utility pole value Imax and the remaining capacity is 70% (that is, the uncharged capacity is 30%). Yes. At this time, as described above, the battery packs B2, B3, and B4 mounted in the remaining mounting portions 201b, 201c, and 201d are not charged at all, and the remaining capacity of the battery pack B2 is 50%. The battery pack B3 has a remaining capacity of 40% (uncharged capacity 60%), and the battery pack B4 has a remaining capacity of 30% (uncharged capacity 70%). It has become.

  Such a method of sequentially charging the fastest for each battery pack has the following drawbacks. That is, for a user who wants to use the four battery packs B1 to B4 at the same time, the fourth battery pack B4 is charged (even if the battery packs B1 to B3 have been charged by then). You have to wait until it is completed and it is not easy to use. Further, since each of the battery packs B1 to B4 is charged with the maximum current value Imax, the battery life is adversely affected. In addition, no particular consideration is given when the battery pack is removed or added during charging.

<Effect of embodiment>
FIG. 8 shows the method of this embodiment compared with the comparative example. In this embodiment, as already described, the distribution ratio according to the remaining capacity of each of the battery packs B1, B2, B3, B4 attached to the attachment parts 201a, 201b, 201c, 201d (as described above in this example) 3/21, 5/21, 6/21, 7/21), each battery pack B1, B2, B3, B4 has a current value (that is, 3/21 × Imax, 5 / 21 × Imax, 6/21 × Imax, and 7/21 × Imax) are distributed and supplied, and charging is performed in parallel. Accordingly, a battery pack having a relatively large remaining capacity (relatively small uncharged capacity) is supplied with a relatively small current and a battery having a relatively small remaining capacity (relatively large uncharged capacity). A relatively large amount of current is supplied to the pack (see the broken line arrows of the battery packs B1 to B4 in the figure). As a result, all the battery packs B1, B2, B3, and B4 can be substantially fully charged at the same time according to the remaining capacity. As a result, it is particularly convenient for a user who wants to use the battery packs B1, B2, B3, and B4 by attaching them to the device at the same time.

  Further, by distributing and supplying the maximum current value Imax generated by the constant current circuit 15 as described above to the battery packs B1, B2, B3, and B4 according to the distribution ratio, the battery packs B1, B2 are supplied. , B3, B4 always have a current value smaller than the maximum current value Imax. As a result, compared with the method of the comparative example in which the maximum current value Imax itself is sequentially supplied to each of the battery packs B1, B2, B3, and B4 and rapidly charged, the deterioration of the battery can be suppressed and the durability can be improved. it can.

  Further, unlike the comparative example, it is possible to cope with the case where the battery pack is removed or added during the charging. That is, when a new attachment of the battery packs B1 to B4 with respect to at least one attachment part 201a to 201d is detected or a new removal is detected, at that time according to the new attachment or new removal. The remaining capacities of all the battery packs B mounted on the mounting unit 201 are newly acquired (see step S20). Then, according to the newly acquired acquisition result, a new distribution ratio is set in step S30, and the current value corresponding to the newly set distribution ratio is distributed and supplied to each battery pack B. (See step S50). As a result, not only when a plurality of battery packs B are newly mounted on the mounting unit 201, some battery packs B are removed from the mounting unit 201 during charging, or another battery pack B is further added. Even if it is mounted on the mounting unit 201, the distribution ratio is reset again according to the state after the detachment or additional mounting, and charging can be performed correspondingly. As a result, user convenience can be further improved. In addition, for example, when a user who wants to rush to use removes all the battery packs B1 to B4 when the battery is not fully charged but is charged to a certain time, the charging order is the last in the comparative example. There is a high possibility that a certain battery pack B4 is hardly charged (remaining capacity is extremely small). On the other hand, in this embodiment, since all the battery packs B1 to B4 are charged simultaneously in parallel as described above, even when all the battery packs B1 to B4 are removed during charging as described above, the battery All of the packs B1 to B4 are charged to some extent. Therefore, it is particularly convenient for the user as described above.

  In the present embodiment, the remaining capacity information detected by the coulomb meters provided in each battery pack B1, B2, B3, B4... Is mounted on the mounting portions 201a, 201b, 201c, 201d. Sometimes obtained (see step S20). In this way, by acquiring and using the remaining capacity information detected on the battery packs B1, B2, B3, B4..., The charging apparatus can be used without providing any remaining capacity information detecting means on the charging apparatus side. Can recognize the remaining capacity of each battery pack B1, B2, B3, B4.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the present invention. Hereinafter, the modified examples will be described in order. In addition, about the part equivalent to the said embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted or simplified suitably.

(1) When attaching / detaching is detected using a thermistor FIG. 9 shows an electrical configuration of this modification. As shown in FIG. 9, in this modification, the thermistor is used in place of the detection switches SWa, SWb, SWc, SWd in the above embodiment in order to detect the attachment or removal of each battery pack B1, B2, B3, B4. TM1, TM2, TM3, and TM4 are provided for each mounting portion 201a, 201b, 201c, and 201d. One side of the thermistors TM1, TM2, TM3, and TM4 is connected to the temperature detector 17, and the other side is grounded. When the battery packs B1 to B4 are mounted on the mounting portions 201a to 201d, the thermistors TM1 to TM4 are operated due to the temperature rise at that time. The temperature detection unit 17 detects the mounting or removal of the battery packs B1 to B4 with respect to the mounting units 201a to 201d by its operation, and inputs a corresponding detection signal to the CPU 12. Also in this case, step S60 and step S10 in the flow of FIG. 5 in which the detection result from the temperature detection unit 17 is input function as attachment / detachment detection means in this modification.

  Since the parts other than the above-described detection of attachment / detachment of the battery packs B1 to B4 are the same as those in the above embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted. Also by this modification, the same effect as the above-mentioned embodiment is acquired.

(2) Case where attachment / detachment detection is performed by a change in voltage FIG. 10 shows an electrical configuration of this modification. As shown in FIG. 10, in the present modification, the detection switches SWa, SWb, SWc, SWd in the embodiment are omitted. And the voltage detection part 10 detects mounting | wearing or removal of battery pack B1-B4 with respect to mounting part 201a-d by the voltage change by electricity supply when battery pack B1-B4 is mounted | worn with mounting part 201a-201d, and respond | corresponds The detection signal to be input is input to the CPU 12. Also in this case, step S60 and step S10 in the flow of FIG. 5 for inputting the detection result from the voltage detection unit 10 function as the attachment / detachment detection means in the present modification. At that time, as described above, each battery pack B1, B2, B3, B4 is discharged by a predetermined amount by a known method to detect a voltage drop, and the remaining capacity of each battery pack B1 to B4 is combined. You may make it acquire.

  Since the parts other than the above-described detection of attachment / detachment of the battery packs B1 to B4 are the same as those in the above embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted. Also by this modification, the same effect as the above-mentioned embodiment is acquired.

  In the above description, a battery pack in which a plurality of rechargeable batteries are combined has been described as an example of the battery means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one battery may be applied as the battery means. Also in this case, as described above, the current can be distributed and supplied to each of the plurality of batteries so that they can be almost fully charged, and the life of each battery can be improved.

  In the above description, the present invention is applied as a battery power supply charging device used in the printer 1, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention can be applied to devices other than printing apparatuses as long as the electronic devices use a rechargeable battery power source, and the battery power source used in the electronic device is charged by the charging device of the present invention. By performing the processing, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  In the above, the arrows shown in FIGS. 4, 9, and 10 show an example of the signal flow, and do not limit the signal flow direction.

  Further, the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 does not limit the present invention to the procedure shown in the above-described flow, and the procedure may be added / deleted or the order may be changed without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the invention. Good.

  In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

  In addition to those already described above, the methods according to the above-described embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

1 Printer (printing device)
13 Voltage detector 14 Wear detector 15 Constant current circuit (constant current generating means)
111 Platen roller (conveying means)
112 Thermal line head (printing means)
200 charging device 201a-d mounting part B1-4 battery pack (battery means)
Imax Charging current value k1-4 Distribution ratio S Roll paper (medium to be printed)
SW1-4 current control switch SWa-d detection switch TM1-4 thermistor

Claims (5)

A plurality of mounting portions each mounting a plurality of battery means of a specific type;
Remaining capacity information acquisition means for acquiring remaining capacity information of each of the plurality of battery means mounted on the plurality of mounting portions;
A distribution ratio setting for setting a distribution ratio for distributing a predetermined charging current value predetermined for the specific type to each of the plurality of battery means according to an acquisition result of the remaining capacity information acquisition means Means,
Current control means for performing charging by distributing and supplying the predetermined charging current value according to the distribution ratio set by the distribution ratio setting means for each battery means mounted in each of the plurality of mounting portions ;
Attachment / detachment detection means for detecting attachment or detachment of the battery means with respect to each of the plurality of attachment parts;
Have
The remaining capacity information acquisition means includes
When the attachment / detachment detection means detects a new attachment of the battery means to at least one attachment part, or when a new removal of the battery means from at least one attachment part is detected, In response to new attachment or removal, a new acquisition of remaining capacity information of each of the plurality of battery means,
The distribution ratio setting means includes
In accordance with the newly acquired acquisition result, the distribution ratio is newly set,
The current control means includes
A charging device characterized in that the charging is performed by supplying a current having a current value corresponding to the newly set distribution ratio . The charging device according to claim 1,
The distribution ratio setting means includes
According to the obtained results for the remaining capacity information acquisition means becomes a smaller value as the battery unit remaining capacity is not large, so that a larger value as the battery means the remaining capacity is not small, that for setting the distribution ratio Charging device characterized. The charging device according to claim 1 or 2,
Constant current generating means for generating a constant current of the predetermined charging current value;
The current control means includes
A current limiting unit that distributes and supplies the constant current generated by the constant current generating unit to each battery unit according to a time ratio of energizing according to the distribution ratio set by the distribution ratio setting unit. Charging device. The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The remaining capacity information acquisition means includes
A charging device, wherein the remaining capacity information detected by a remaining capacity information detecting means provided in each battery means is acquired when the battery means is attached to the attaching portion. A printing system comprising a printing device that is mounted with a specific type of battery means and operates by the power of the mounted battery means, and a charging device that can charge the specific type of battery means,
The printing apparatus includes:
A conveying means that is driven by the electric power and conveys the printing medium;
Printing means driven by the electric power to perform desired printing on the print medium;
Have
The charging device is:
A plurality of mounting portions each mounting a plurality of the specific types of battery means;
Remaining capacity information acquisition means for acquiring remaining capacity information of each of the plurality of battery means mounted on the plurality of mounting portions;
A distribution ratio setting for setting a distribution ratio for distributing a predetermined charging current value predetermined for the specific type to each of the plurality of battery means according to an acquisition result of the remaining capacity information acquisition means Means,
Current control means for performing charging by distributing and supplying the predetermined charging current value according to the distribution ratio set by the distribution ratio setting means for each battery means mounted in each of the plurality of mounting portions ;
Attachment / detachment detection means for detecting attachment or detachment of the battery means with respect to each of the plurality of attachment parts;
Have
The remaining capacity information acquisition means includes
When the attachment / detachment detection means detects a new attachment of the battery means to at least one attachment part, or when a new removal of the battery means from at least one attachment part is detected, In response to new attachment or removal, a new acquisition of remaining capacity information of each of the plurality of battery means,
The distribution ratio setting means includes
In accordance with the newly acquired acquisition result, the distribution ratio is newly set,
The current control means includes
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the charging is performed by supplying a current having a current value corresponding to the newly set distribution ratio .

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