JP5897941B2 - Secondary battery charge / discharge tester - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a charge / discharge inspection apparatus for inspecting a secondary battery.

  Secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged, such as lithium ion batteries and nickel metal hydride batteries, are widely used. Before the secondary battery is shipped, it is inspected to check whether it functions normally using a charge / discharge inspection device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  As disclosed in Patent Document 1, the charge / discharge inspection apparatus includes a step-up / down converter that is provided for each secondary battery and charges and discharges the secondary battery. Before the step-up / down converter, when the secondary battery is charged, the commercial AC voltage is converted into a DC voltage and supplied to the step-up / down converter. When the secondary battery is discharged, the current discharged by the step-up / down converter is A power supply device for collecting the commercial power supply is provided.

JP 2011-146372 A JP 2011-24308 A

In such a charge / discharge test apparatus, if the battery voltage V _BAT or the charge current I _CHG becomes an abnormal value, the charge / discharge test apparatus itself or the reliability of the secondary battery may be affected.

  Therefore, the present inventors provide a commercially available meter relay between the outputs of the step-down converters and the secondary battery in order to protect the charge / discharge inspection device and the secondary battery in the event of an abnormality, and shut off the relay when an abnormality is detected. I examined that.

  The meter relay generally includes an indicator needle (meter) that displays current or voltage, and a relay that cuts off (or conducts) when the current or voltage exceeds a set threshold value. The threshold value can be changed in an analog manner by a dial or the like.

  In such a configuration, the same number of meter relays as the battery are required, and it is necessary to set a threshold value that is a criterion for abnormality detection for each meter relay. When the charge / discharge inspection apparatus tests the same type of secondary battery at the same time, the same criterion may be set for all the secondary batteries.

  On the other hand, when different types of secondary batteries are inspected, it is necessary to set an optimum determination standard for each secondary battery 1. Changing the relay threshold is not practical. Therefore, in the configuration using the meter relay, even when different types of secondary batteries are inspected, the same determination criterion must be applied to all the secondary batteries. As a result, the standard for a certain secondary battery is weakened, and the standard is strict for another secondary battery.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and one of the exemplary purposes of an aspect thereof is to provide a charge / discharge inspection apparatus capable of individually protecting a plurality of secondary batteries under optimum conditions. .

  A charge / discharge inspection apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a charge / discharge inspection apparatus that inspects a plurality of secondary batteries, each of which is provided for each secondary battery, and a charge state for charging a secondary battery, and a secondary battery A plurality of step-up / step-down converters configured to be able to switch between a discharge state in which the battery is discharged and the power is recovered to the primary side, and each secondary battery is provided with a corresponding secondary battery voltage. And a plurality of sensors for generating a detection signal indicating at least one of charge / discharge currents for the corresponding secondary battery, each provided for each secondary battery, and between the corresponding secondary battery and the output of the corresponding step-up / down converter A plurality of relays, and a controller for controlling the plurality of relays, the controller that shuts off the corresponding relay when the detection signal from each sensor satisfies the determination criteria, And it is connected via a network, comprising a management server that stores the data for specifying the criteria for each relay, a. Data specifying the criterion for each relay is transmitted to the controller from the management server to the controller via the network.

  According to this aspect, the condition for abnormality determination can be set individually and collectively for each of the plurality of secondary batteries. As a result, a plurality of secondary batteries can be individually protected under optimum conditions.

  The charge / discharge test apparatus may be configured in units of N (N is an integer of 2 or more) secondary batteries, and a controller may be provided for each of the N buck-boost converters.

  A detection signal from each sensor may be transmitted to the management server via a network. Thereby, various units connected to the network can monitor the state of each secondary battery.

  A charge / discharge inspection apparatus according to an aspect is provided in a stage preceding a plurality of buck-boost converters, converts an AC voltage from a commercial power source into a direct current in a charged state and supplies the converted voltage to the plurality of buck-boost converters. You may further provide the power supply device which collect | recovers the energy from a converter to commercial power supply.

The power supply device receives a detection signal from each sensor via the network, controls the power supply device, and restricts the power supply to the buck-boost converter corresponding to the detection signal when a certain detection signal satisfies a predetermined criterion A master controller may be provided.
As a result, in addition to the downstream buck-boost converter, it is possible to perform abnormality detection and protection in the upstream power supply apparatus, and a robust system can be constructed.

  Note that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and the constituent elements and expressions of the present invention replaced with each other among methods, apparatuses, systems, and the like are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of secondary batteries can be individually protected under optimum conditions.

It is a block diagram which shows the charging / discharging test | inspection apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structural example of a controller. FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing a configuration of a step-up / step-down unit according to a modification.

  The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted as appropriate. The embodiments do not limit the invention but are exemplifications, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention.

In this specification, “the state in which the member A is connected to the member B” means that the member A and the member B are electrically connected to each other in addition to the case where the member A and the member B are physically directly connected. It includes cases where the connection is indirectly made through other members that do not substantially affect the general connection state, or that do not impair the functions and effects achieved by their combination.
Similarly, “the state in which the member C is provided between the member A and the member B” refers to the case where the member A and the member C or the member B and the member C are directly connected, as well as their electric It includes cases where the connection is indirectly made through other members that do not substantially affect the general connection state, or that do not impair the functions and effects achieved by their combination.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a charge / discharge inspection apparatus 2 according to the embodiment. Whether the electrical characteristics of the secondary battery 1 satisfy the specifications by charging or discharging the plurality of N (N is an integer of 2 or more) secondary batteries 1 to be inspected. Inspect. Examples of the secondary battery 1 include, but are not limited to, a lithium ion battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, and a nickel cadmium battery.

  The charge / discharge inspection apparatus 2 is configured with a plurality of M (M is an integer of 2 or more) secondary batteries 1 as a unit. M secondary batteries 1 constitute an inspection unit 40, which is loaded on and carried out on one inspection pallet.

  The charge / discharge inspection apparatus 2 is configured to be capable of simultaneously inspecting a maximum of L (L is an integer of 2 or more) inspection units 40 at the same time. That is, the charge / discharge inspection apparatus 2 can simultaneously inspect N = M × L secondary batteries 1. The i-th (1 ≦ i ≦ M) secondary battery 1 included in the j-th (1 ≦ j ≦ L) inspection unit 40 [j] is denoted as 1 [j, i].

  The charge / discharge inspection device 2 includes a power supply device 10, L number of step-up / step-down units 20, a management server 30, a network 32, and a computer 34. The power supply device 10 is provided in one housing, and the L boosting / lowering units 20 are provided in one housing different from the power supply device 10.

  Each of the L step-up / step-down units 20 is provided for each inspection unit 40. The power supply device 10 and each of the L step-up / step-down units 20 are connected via a power line L1 [1: L]. The power supply device 10 supplies the DC link voltage V2 to the L step-up / step-down units 20 via the power lines L1 [1 to L].

  The j-th (1 ≦ j ≦ L) step-up / step-down unit 20 [j] supplies M secondary batteries 1 [j, 1] to 1 [j, M] included in the corresponding inspection unit 40 [j]. It can be charged or discharged. The step-up / step-down unit 20 [j] includes a controller 22 [j], M pieces of step-up / down converters 24 [j, 1] to 24 [j, M], and M pieces of relays 26 [j, 1] to 26 [j, M] and M sensors 28 [j, 1] to 28 [j, M].

  The step-up / down converters 24 [j, 1] to 24 [j, M] are respectively connected to the M secondary batteries 1 [j, 1] to 1 [j, M] included in the corresponding inspection unit 40 [j]. It is associated. The step-up / step-down converter 24 [j, i] discharges the corresponding secondary battery 1 [j, i] and the corresponding secondary battery 1 [j, i], and discharges the power to the primary side. It is configured to be able to switch between the discharge state to be recovered. The configuration of the step-up / down converter 24 is not particularly limited, and a known circuit may be used.

M sensors 28 [j, 1] to 28 [j, M] are provided for the secondary batteries 1 [j, 1] to 1 [j, M], respectively. The sensor 28 [j, i] _generates a detection signal indicating at least one of the voltage V _BAT of the corresponding secondary battery 1 [j, i] and the charge / discharge current I _CHG for the corresponding secondary battery 1 [j, i]. Generate. Preferably, the sensor 28 [j, i] generates both a voltage detection signal Sv _{j, i} indicating the battery voltage V _BAT and a current detection signal Si _{j, i} indicating the charge / discharge current I _CHG . The configuration of the sensor 28 is not particularly limited, and a known technique may be used. A plurality of sensors 28 [j, 1] ~28 [ j, M] detection signal _Sv j generated _{by, 1~j, M, Si j,} 1~j, M is input to the controller 22 [j] .

  The relays 26 [j, 1] to 26 [j, M] are provided for the secondary batteries 1 [j, 1] to 1 [j, M], respectively. The relay 26 [j, i] is provided between the output of the corresponding secondary battery 1 [j, i] and the corresponding step-up / down converter 24 [j, i].

The controller 22 [j] controls the step-up / step-down converters 24 [j, 1] to 24 [j, M] and also controls the conduction and disconnection of the relays 26 [j, 1] to 26 [j, M]. The controller 22 [j] is connected to the management server 30 via the network 32 and can access data in the management server 30. Specifically, the controller 22 [j] can download (read) the data stored in the management server 30, and the detection signals measured by the sensors 28 [j, 1] to 28 [j, M]. Information such as Sv _{j, 1 to j, M} , Si _{j, 1 to j, M and the} like can be uploaded (written) to the management server 30.

Controller 22 [j], the sensor 28 [j, 1] ~28 received [j, M] detection signal _Si j from, 1 to _{j, M, Sv j, 1 to j,} the _M, relay 26 on the basis of it Controls conduction and interruption of [j, 1] to 26 [j, M]. Specifically, when the detection signals Si _{j, i} , Sv _{j, i} from the sensor 28 [j, i] satisfy a predetermined criterion, the controller 22 [j] relays the relay 26 [j corresponding to that sensor. , I].

Here, the management server 30 determines the determination criteria for each relay 26 for all the relays 26 [1, 1] to 26 [L, M] in all the step-up / step-down units 20 [1] to 20 [L]. Can be stored. The controller 22 [j] of the jth step-up / step-down unit 20 [j] has determination criteria for each of the relays 26 [j, 1] to 26 [j, M] in the step-up / step-down unit 20 [j]. The designated data Dv _{j, 1 to j, M} , Di _{j, 1 to j, M} are transmitted.

  The management server 30 stores a file describing an inspection process called a recipe. The operator uses the computer 34 to create a recipe prior to the inspection process and store it in the management server 30. The recipe describes the type of the secondary battery 1 to be carried in, the target value of the charging current, the charging time, the target value of the discharging current, the discharging time, the number of charge / discharge cycles, and the like. The data Dv and Di described above may be described in a recipe or may be described in a separate file.

  FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration example of the controller 22 [j]. The controller 22 [j] is configured by, for example, a commercially available microcomputer or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The controller 22 [j] includes an interface circuit 50 and M relay control units 52 [j, 1] to 52 [j, M].

The interface circuit 50 is connected to the management server 30 via the network 32. The relay control unit 52 [j, i] controls the corresponding relay 26 [j, i]. Detection signals Si _{j, i} and Sv _{j, i} from the corresponding sensors 28 [j, i] are input to the relay control unit 52 [j, i]. The interface circuit 50 reads data Di _{j, i} , Dv _{j, i} indicating the determination criteria for the corresponding relay 26 [j, i] from the management server 30 via the network 32 and stores them in the register 54. The digital comparator 56 compares the detection signal Si _{j, i} with the upper limit value indicated by the data Di _{j, i, and} outputs an off signal S1 that is asserted (for example, high level) when the charge / discharge current I _CHG exceeds the upper limit. Generate. The digital comparator 58 compares the detection signal Sv _{j, i} with the upper limit value indicated by the data Dv _{j, i, and} outputs an off signal S2 that is asserted (for example, high level) when the battery voltage V _BAT exceeds the upper limit value. Generate. When at least one of the off signals S1 and S2 is asserted, the logic gate 60 turns off the corresponding relay 26 [j, i].

That is, when the battery voltage V _BAT of the secondary battery 1 [j, i] exceeds the upper limit value specified by the data Dv _{j, i} , the controller 22 relays corresponding to the secondary battery 1 [j, i]. [J, i] is turned off. In addition, when the charge / discharge current I _CHG for the secondary battery 1 [j, i] exceeds the upper limit value specified by the data Di _{j, i} , the controller 22 relays corresponding to the secondary battery 1 [j, i]. 26 [j, i] is blocked.

  The power supply device 10 includes a master controller 12, a regenerative converter 14, and L bidirectional converters 16 [1] to 16 [L]. Although only a single regenerative converter 14 is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of regenerative converters 14 may actually be provided depending on the scale of the charge / discharge inspection apparatus 2.

Regenerative converter 14 has a primary side connected to a commercial AC power supply and a secondary side connected to the primary side of L bidirectional converters 16 [1] to 16 [L]. Regenerative converter 14, when the power consumption of the secondary side is positive, converts the AC voltage _{V AC} from a commercial AC power supply to the first DC link voltage V1, the bidirectional converter 16 [1] ~16 [L] To supply. On the other hand, regenerative converter 14 recovers the secondary side power to the commercial AC power source when the power consumption on the secondary side is negative.

  Bidirectional converters 16 [1] to 16 [L] are provided for each step-up / down unit 20. The j-th (1 ≦ j ≦ L) bidirectional converter 16 [j] receives the first DC link voltage V1 when the power consumption of the step-up / step-down unit 20 [j] connected to the secondary side is positive. Conversion to the second DC link voltage V2. On the other hand, bidirectional converter 16 [j] collects secondary-side power to regenerative converter 14 side when the power consumption of step-up / step-down unit 20 [j] connected to the secondary side is negative.

  Based on the recipe stored in the management server 30 and various information measured by the sensors 28 [1,1] to 28 [L, M], the master controller 12 regenerates the converter 14 and the bidirectional converter 16 [1]. Controls the operating state of ˜16 [L].

  The above is the configuration of the charge / discharge inspection apparatus 2. Next, the operation will be described.

  A recipe is created by the worker and uploaded to the management server 30. When the inspection program on the computer 34 is executed, the power supply device 10 and the step-up / step-down units 20 [1] to 20 [L] are controlled according to the recipe, and the N secondary batteries 1 are inspected.

The management server 30 stores data Di and Dv indicating determination criteria for each of N = M × L secondary batteries 1. The controller 22 [j] of the jth step-up / step-down unit 20 [j] includes data Di _j corresponding to the secondary batteries 1 [j, 1] to 1 [j, M] included in the inspection unit 40 [j]. _{, 1- j , M} , Dv _{j, 1-j, M} are transmitted. Based on the transmitted data _Dij, 1-j, _{M, Dvj,} 1- _{j, M} , the controller 22 [j] has an abnormality in the secondary batteries 1 [j, 1] -1 [j, M]. Is detected.

The above is the operation of the charge / discharge inspection apparatus 2.
According to the charge / discharge inspection apparatus 2, the abnormality determination conditions can be individually and collectively set for each of the plurality of secondary batteries 1. As a result, a plurality of secondary batteries can be individually protected under optimum conditions.

  In addition, conditions for all channels can be set at a much faster speed than when using meter relays.

Furthermore, even during the inspection, it is possible to change the abnormality determination condition at an arbitrary timing for an arbitrary channel [j, i]. For example, when the type of the secondary battery 1 [j, i] conveyed to a certain channel is changed during the inspection, the data Di _{j, i} , Dv _{j, i} is rewritten accordingly, thereby renewing the data. Abnormality determination according to the type of battery becomes possible.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. is there. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described.

(First modification)
In the step-up / step-down unit 20 [j] of FIG. 2, the abnormality determination is performed by digital comparison processing, in other words, software processing, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of or in addition to the digital comparison processing, the abnormality determination may be performed by hardware processing using an analog comparator. FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the step-up / step-down unit 20 [j] according to the modification. Since the M channels are similarly configured, only the i-th channel is shown.

In the step-up / step-down unit 20 [j] of FIG. 3A, the sensor 28 [j, i] generates a detection signal Sv _{j, i} corresponding to the battery voltage V _BAT . The variable voltage source 66 [j, i] is a digitally controlled variable voltage source, and may be a digital / analog converter. The controller 22 [j] outputs the data Dv _{j, i} to the variable voltage source 66 [j, i]. The variable voltage source 66 [j, i] generates a threshold voltage Vthv _{j, i} having a voltage level corresponding to the data Dv _{j, i} . The analog comparator 64 [j, i] compares the threshold voltage Vthv _{j, i} with the output voltage Sv _{j, i} of the sensor 28. When the battery voltage V _BAT exceeds the upper limit value corresponding to the data Dv _{j, i} , the electromagnetic relay 26 [j, i] is cut off. The variable voltage source 66 [j, i] may be built in the controller 22 [j]. According to this modification, abnormality of the battery voltage can be detected by hardware processing, and the determination criterion can be set individually for each secondary battery 1.

The fuse 62 is cut when the charge / discharge current I _CHG exceeds a predetermined threshold value. Thereby, the abnormality of the charging / discharging current I _CHG can be detected, and the circuit can be protected. Further, a more robust system can be constructed by combining abnormality detection by software processing by the controller 22 [j] and abnormality detection by hardware.

In the step-up / step-down unit 20 [j] of FIG. 3B, the sensor 28 [j, i] detects the battery voltage V _BAT and the charge / discharge current I _CHG .

Current sensors 28a [j, i] on the basis of the voltage drop across the sense resistor Rs arranged on a path of the charge and discharge current _{I CHG,} generates a detection signal _{Si j, i} corresponding to the charge and discharge current _{I CHG.} Controller 22 [j] outputs a threshold voltage Vthi _{j, i} in accordance with the data _{Di j, i.} The analog comparator 64a [j, i] compares the threshold value Vth _{i j, i} and detects an abnormality in the charge / discharge current I _CHG . The analog comparator 64b [j, i] and the sensor 28b [j, i] correspond to the analog comparator 64 [j, i] and the sensor 28 [j, i] in FIG.

  The logic gate 68 [j, i] cuts off the relay 26 [j, i] when at least one of the analog comparator 64 a [j, i] and the analog comparator 64 b [j, i] detects an abnormality.

  According to this modified example, abnormality in battery voltage and abnormality in charge / discharge current can be detected by hardware processing, and determination criteria can be individually set for each secondary battery 1. In the configuration of FIG. 3A, when the fuse 62 is cut due to an overcurrent abnormality, the next inspection cannot be performed until the fuse 62 is replaced. However, in the configuration of FIG. Since the circuit is protected by the relay 26, the trouble of replacing the fuse 62 can be saved.

(Second modification)
When the type of battery is determined, a criterion to be set for the battery is determined. Therefore, according to the type of the secondary battery 1 [j, i] described in the recipe, data Dv and Di that are determination criteria of the relay 26 corresponding to the type may be generated. This can be realized by storing in the management server 30 a table indicating the relationship between the type of battery and the data Di and Dv that are determination criteria. Alternatively, the relation between the battery type and the optimum data Di, Dv may be described in the inspection program, and the data Di, Dv may be generated by calculation.

(Third Modification)
As described above, information such as the detection signals Sv _{j, i} , Si _{j, i} measured by the sensor 28 [j, i] is uploaded to the management server 30. Therefore, the master controller 12 provided in the power supply device 10 can detect voltage abnormality or current abnormality of each secondary battery 1 based on these detection signals Sv _{j, i} , _{Sij, i} . The abnormality detection by the master controller 12 may be realized by the same configuration as the relay control unit 52 [j] of the controller 22 [j] in FIG.

  When an abnormality is detected in a certain secondary battery 1 [j, i], the master controller 12 may limit power supply to the corresponding step-up / down converter 24 [j, i]. The limitation of the power supply can be realized by controlling the bidirectional converter 16 [j] or the regenerative converter 14.

  Thus, a more robust system can be constructed by performing abnormality detection and protection upstream of the step-up / down converter 24 using the master controller 12.

(Fourth modification)
Although the case where the bidirectional converter 16 is provided between the regenerative converter 14 and the step-up / step-down unit 20 has been described in the embodiment, the bidirectional converter 16 may be omitted.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various design changes are possible, various modifications are possible, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. By the way.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Secondary battery, 2 ... Charge / discharge test apparatus, 4 ... Regenerative converter, 6 ... Bidirectional converter, 8 ... Buck-boost converter, 10 ... Power supply device, 12 ... Master controller, 14 ... Regenerative converter, 16 ... Bidirectional converter 20 ... Buck-boost unit, 22 ... Controller, 24 ... Buck-boost converter, 26 ... Relay, 28 ... Sensor, 30 ... Management server, 32 ... Network, 34 ... Computer, 40 ... Test unit, 50 ... Interface circuit, 52 ... Relay control unit 54... Register 56, 58 Digital comparator 60. Logic gate 62 Fuse 64 Analog comparator 66 Variable voltage source 68 Logic gate

Claims (5)

A charge / discharge inspection apparatus for inspecting a plurality of secondary batteries,
Each is provided for each secondary battery, and is configured to be able to switch between a charged state in which the secondary battery is charged and a discharged state in which the secondary battery is discharged and its power is recovered to the primary side. A plurality of buck-boost converters;
A plurality of sensors each provided for each secondary battery, and generating a detection signal indicating at least one of a voltage of the corresponding secondary battery and a charge / discharge current for the corresponding secondary battery;
A plurality of relays, each provided for each secondary battery, provided between the corresponding secondary battery and the corresponding output of the step-up / down converter;
A controller that controls the plurality of relays, and when the detection signal from each sensor satisfies a determination criterion, a controller that blocks the relay corresponding to the sensor that has detected the detection signal that satisfies the determination criterion ;
A management server connected to the controller via a network and storing a plurality of data individually specifying the determination criteria of each of the plurality of relays;
With
The charging / discharging inspection apparatus, wherein the controller transmits the plurality of data individually specifying the determination criteria of each of the plurality of relays from the management server to the controller via the network. The charge / discharge inspection apparatus is configured with N (N is an integer of 2 or more) secondary batteries as a unit,
The charge / discharge inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is provided for each of N step-up / step-down converters.   The charge / discharge inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection signal from each sensor is transmitted to the management server via the network.   Provided before the plurality of buck-boost converters, in the charging state, the AC voltage from the commercial power source is converted into a direct current and supplied to the plurality of buck-boost converters, and energy from the buck-boost converter in the discharging state The charge / discharge inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply device that recovers the power to the commercial power supply. The power supply device
The detection signal from each sensor is received via the network, and the power supply device is controlled, and when a certain detection signal satisfies a predetermined criterion, power supply to the step-up / down converter corresponding to the detection signal is limited. The charging / discharging test | inspection apparatus of Claim 4 provided with the master controller to perform.

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