JP7434757B2 - Charging control method, charging control device, charging device, and charging system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a charging control method, a charging control device, a charging device, and a charging system.

Conventionally, when charging a lead-acid battery, charging is performed over a preset period of time (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 1-93071

However, if charging is performed for a predetermined period of time during charging during the on-pulse period, charging may become insufficient depending on the capacity of the lead-acid battery.

In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides a charging control method. The charging control method includes a constant current charging step in which the lead acid battery group is charged by constant current charging during each on-pulse period of pulse charging for a lead acid battery group including one or more lead acid batteries until the voltage of the lead acid battery group reaches a reference voltage. may be provided. The charge control method may include, after the constant current charging step, a constant voltage charging step in which the lead acid battery group is charged by constant voltage charging until the current flowing through the lead acid battery group becomes equal to or less than a reference current.

The charging control method may further include a normal charging step of charging the lead-acid battery group by normal charging before the constant current charging step in response to the lead-acid battery group being discharged.

The lead-acid battery group may include at least one removably connected lead-acid battery.

In the constant voltage charging step, the lead acid battery group may be charged by constant voltage charging until the current flowing through the lead acid battery group becomes equal to or less than a reference current, regardless of the capacity of the lead acid battery group.

The reference current may be 10-20% of the constant current charging current.

The constant voltage charging step may include a current measurement step to measure the current flowing through the lead acid battery group.

The charging control method may further include an on-pulse period starting step of repeatedly starting the on-pulse period.

The on-pulse period starting step may start the on-pulse period after a reference interval has elapsed after the constant voltage charging step ends.

The charging control method may further include a calculation step of calculating the capacity of the lead-acid battery group according to at least one of the duration of constant current charging and the duration of constant voltage charging.

The charging control method may further include a current changing step of changing the constant current charging current in the next on-pulse period according to the capacity of the lead acid battery group calculated in the calculating step.

The charging control method determines that after a plurality of on-pulse periods have elapsed, the reduction rate of the constant current charging duration falls within a first range, and the reduction rate of the constant voltage charging duration falls within a second range. The battery may further include a deterioration notification step of notifying deterioration of the lead-acid battery group in response to at least one of the following.

In a second aspect of the invention, a charging control device is provided. The charging control device performs constant current charging control to charge the lead-acid battery group by constant current charging during each on-pulse period of pulse charging for a lead-acid battery group including one or more lead-acid batteries until the voltage of the lead-acid battery group reaches a reference voltage. may have a section. The charging control device may include a constant voltage charging control unit that charges the lead acid battery group by constant voltage charging until the current flowing through the lead acid battery group becomes equal to or less than a reference current when the lead acid battery group is charged with constant current.

The charge control device may further include a normal charge control section that charges the lead acid battery group by normal charging before constant current charging by the constant current charge control section in response to discharge of the lead acid battery group.

The lead-acid battery group may include at least one removably connected lead-acid battery.

The constant voltage charging control unit may charge the lead acid battery group by constant voltage charging until the current flowing through the lead acid battery group becomes equal to or less than a reference current, regardless of the capacity of the lead acid battery group.

The charging control device may further include a current measuring section that measures the current flowing through the lead-acid battery group.

The charging control device may further include an on-pulse period starting section that repeatedly starts the on-pulse period.

In a third aspect of the invention, a charging device is provided. The charging device may include a power output unit that outputs charging power for charging a lead-acid battery group including one or more lead-acid batteries. The charging device may include the charging control device of the second aspect.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, a charging system is provided. The charging system may include a lead-acid battery bank including one or more lead-acid batteries. The charging system may include the charging device of the third aspect.

Note that the above summary of the invention does not list all the necessary features of the invention. Furthermore, subcombinations of these features may also constitute inventions.

A charging system 1 according to the present embodiment is shown together with a commercial power source 2 and a load 3. 5 shows a charging operation by the charging control device 54. Indicates interrupt operation. The operating waveform in normal charging mode is shown. FIG. 5 shows operating waveforms in the on-pulse charging mode when the lead-acid battery group 10 has only built-in batteries. FIG. 5 shows operational waveforms in on-pulse charging mode when the lead-acid battery group 10 has a built-in battery and an external battery. 22 illustrates an example computer 2200 in which aspects of the invention may be implemented, in whole or in part.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the solution of the invention.

[1. Configuration of charging system 1]
FIG. 1 shows a charging system 1 according to this embodiment together with a commercial power source 2 and a load 3. The charging system 1 includes a lead-acid battery group 10 and an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 5.

[1.1. Lead-acid battery group 10]
The lead acid battery group 10 includes one or more lead acid batteries 100. The lead-acid battery group 10 may include at least one lead-acid battery 100 that is removably connected. In this embodiment, as an example, the lead-acid battery group 10 includes three lead-acid batteries 100 connected in parallel. The capacities of each lead-acid battery 100 may be the same or different. Among these, one lead-acid battery 100 (also referred to as lead-acid battery 100in) may be an internal battery disposed inside the uninterruptible power supply 5. The remaining two lead-acid batteries 100 (also referred to as lead-acid batteries 100ext) may be external batteries (also referred to as additional batteries) disposed outside the uninterruptible power supply 5 and removably connected to the uninterruptible power supply 5. . However, the uninterruptible power supply 5 may or may not be provided with a plurality of 100-inch lead-acid batteries as internal batteries. Further, the charging system 1 may not be provided with the lead storage battery 100ext as an external battery, or may be provided with three or more. The overall capacity of the lead-acid battery group 10 may be changed by adding, removing, or replacing lead-acid batteries 100ext as external batteries.

Note that each lead-acid battery 100 can store electricity by charging and can be used repeatedly. In addition, each lead-acid battery 100 undergoes a natural discharge in which the stored electricity is gradually lost over time even when the battery is not using electricity. The uninterruptible power supply 5 of this embodiment charges such a lead-acid battery 100.

[1.2. Uninterruptible power supply 5]
The uninterruptible power supply 5 is an example of a charging device. The uninterruptible power supply 5 performs charging using power from the commercial power source 2, and supplies the charged power to the load 3 when the power is cut off due to a power outage or the like. The uninterruptible power supply 5 includes one or more external terminals 50, an AC/DC converter 51, a DC/AC converter 52, a power output section 53, and a charging control device 54. The uninterruptible power supply 5 may further include a 100-inch lead-acid battery as an internal battery.

[1.2.1. External terminal 50]
Each external terminal 50 electrically connects another device connected to the external terminal 50 and the main body of the uninterruptible power supply 5 . In this embodiment, as an example, the commercial power source 2, the load 3, and each lead-acid battery 100ext as an external battery are connected to the external terminal 50.

[1.2.3. AC/DC converter 51]
The AC/DC converter 51 converts AC power from the commercial power supply 2 into DC power. AC/DC converter 51 supplies the converted DC power to DC/AC converter 52 and power output section 53. In addition, in this figure, although the case where AC power is input into the uninterruptible power supply 5 was shown as an example, it is not limited to this. When DC power is input to the uninterruptible power supply 5, the AC/DC converter 51 may be omitted.

[1.2.4. DC/AC converter 52]
The DC/AC converter 52 converts the DC power converted by the AC/DC converter 51 into AC power. Further, the DC/AC converter 52 converts the DC power supplied from at least a portion of the lead-acid battery group 10 into AC power when the power from the commercial power source 2 is cut off due to a power outage or the like. The DC/AC converter 52 supplies the converted AC power to the load 3 connected to the outside of the uninterruptible power supply 5 . In addition, in this figure, although the case where the uninterruptible power supply 5 outputs AC power was shown as an example, it is not limited to this. When the uninterruptible power supply 5 outputs DC power, the DC/AC converter 52 may be omitted.

[1.2.5. Power output section 53]
The power output unit 53 outputs charging power for charging the lead-acid battery group 10. The power output section 53 may be, for example, a chopper circuit. The power output unit 53 generates arbitrary voltage and current as charging power from the DC power supplied from the AC/DC converter 51 by controlling on/off of the current, and supplies the generated voltage and current to each lead-acid battery 100. . The power output unit 53 may supply power supplied from at least a portion of the lead acid battery group 10 to the load 3 via the DC/AC converter 52 when power is cut off due to a power outage or the like.

[1.2.6. Charging control device 54]
The charging control device 54 controls charging of the lead-acid battery group 10 by the power output unit 53. The charging control device 54 may cause the power output unit 53 to perform charging in a plurality of charging modes (in this embodiment, as an example, normal charging, on-pulse charging, and off-pulse charging modes). The charging control device 54 includes a normal charging control section 540, an on-pulse charging control section 541, an off-pulse charging control section 545, a monitor section 546, and a switching section 547.

[1.2.6(1). Normal charging control section 540]
The normal charging control section 540 causes the power output section 53 to perform normal charging (also referred to as rapid charging). Normal charging is a charging mode that is executed when the lead-acid battery group 10 is discharged due to use. The normal charging control unit 540 charges the lead-acid battery group 10 by normal charging in response to the lead-acid battery group 10 being discharged. Normal charging may be performed before on-pulse charging by the on-pulse charging control section 541. Normal charging may be performed until the lead-acid battery group 10 is fully charged (or approximately fully charged). In this embodiment, as an example, normal charging may be constant current-constant voltage (CC-CV) charging. Normal charging may be performed continuously over a standard charging time (24 hours as an example).

[1.2.6(2). On-pulse charging control section 541]
On-pulse charging control section 541 causes power output section 53 to perform on-pulse charging. On-pulse charging is a charging mode executed during an on-pulse period of pulse charging (also referred to as standby charging). In this embodiment, as an example, the on-pulse charging may be constant current-constant voltage (CC-CV) charging. The on-pulse charging control section 541 includes a constant current charging control section 542 and a constant voltage charging control section 543.

Constant current charging control section 542 causes power output section 53 to perform constant current charging in constant current-constant voltage charging. The constant current charging control unit 542 charges the lead acid battery group 10 by constant current charging during each on-pulse period of pulse charging of the lead acid battery group 10 until the voltage of the lead acid battery group 10 reaches the reference voltage.

Constant voltage charging control section 543 causes power output section 53 to perform constant voltage charging in constant current-constant voltage charging. When the lead-acid battery group 10 is constant-current charged by the constant-current charge control unit 542, the constant-voltage charging control unit 543 performs constant-voltage charging of the lead-acid battery group 10 until the current flowing through the lead-acid battery group 10 becomes equal to or less than a reference current. to charge the battery. The constant voltage charging control unit 543 may charge the lead acid battery group 10 by constant voltage charging until the current flowing through the lead acid battery group 10 becomes equal to or less than the reference current, regardless of the capacity of the lead acid battery group 10.

[1.2.6(3). Off-pulse charging control section 545]
Off-pulse charging control section 545 causes power output section 53 to perform off-pulse charging. Off-pulse charging is a charging mode performed during the off-pulse period of pulse charging. In this embodiment, the off-pulse period may be a period from the end of the on-pulse period to the start of the next on-pulse period, and is one hour as an example. The off-pulse charging control unit 545 may charge the lead-acid battery group 10 to the lower limit voltage only when the voltage of any lead-acid battery 100 in the lead-acid battery group 10 falls below the lower limit voltage (13.28V as an example). . The off-pulse charging control unit 545 may charge the lead-acid battery group 10 by passing a current lower than the upper limit current (2.4 A as an example). Off-pulse charging may be constant current-constant voltage charging.

[1.2.6(4). Monitor section 546]
The monitor unit 546 monitors the state of charge of the lead-acid battery group 10. The monitor unit 546 is an example of a current measurement unit, and may measure the current flowing through the lead-acid battery group 10 during charging. In this embodiment, as an example, the monitor unit 546 measures the current flowing through the lead acid battery 100 inches as the internal battery, but may measure the current flowing through any one or more lead acid batteries 100 in the lead acid battery group 10.

The monitor unit 546 may measure the voltage of at least one lead-acid battery 100 in the lead-acid battery group 10. The monitor section 546 may supply the measurement results to the switching section 547.

[1.2.6(5). Switching unit 547]
The switching unit 547 switches the charging mode of the charging control device 54. For example, the switching unit 547 may enable the normal charging control unit 540 to perform charging in the normal charging mode when the lead-acid battery group 10 is discharged. Further, the switching unit 547 is an example of an on-pulse period starting unit, and may repeatedly start the on-pulse period. The switching unit 547 may enable the on-pulse charging control unit 541 to perform charging in the on-pulse charging mode during the on-pulse period, and in this embodiment, as an example, the switching unit 547 may enable the on-pulse charging control unit 541 to perform charging in the on-pulse charging mode. They may be enabled in sequence to perform constant current charging and constant voltage charging. Further, the switching unit 547 may enable the off-pulse charging control unit 545 during the off-pulse period to perform charging in the off-pulse charging mode.

According to the charging system 1 described above, during the on-pulse period in pulse charging, constant voltage charging is performed until the current flowing through the lead acid battery group 10 becomes equal to or less than the reference current, so when constant voltage charging is performed until a certain time elapses, Unlike this, each lead-acid battery 100 can be charged to an appropriate charge amount regardless of the capacity of the lead-acid battery group 10. Here, if the conventional charging control device is equipped with control software that performs constant voltage charging until a certain time elapses, it is possible to change the constant voltage charging termination trigger in the control software. , constant voltage charging can be performed until the charging current becomes equal to or less than the reference current. Therefore, the charging system 1 can be easily manufactured.

Moreover, since the lead-acid battery group 10 includes at least one lead-acid battery 100 that is detachably connected, the capacity can vary. Even in such a case, the lead-acid battery group 10 is charged by constant voltage charging during the on-pulse period until the current flowing through the lead-acid battery group 10 becomes equal to or less than the reference current, regardless of the capacity of the lead-acid battery group 10. Therefore, each lead-acid battery 100 can be charged to an appropriate charge amount.

Furthermore, since the on-pulse period starts repeatedly, deterioration of the lead storage battery 100 due to adhesion of lead sulfide to the electrodes can be prevented.

Moreover, since the lead-acid battery group 10 is charged by normal charging in response to the lead-acid battery group 10 being discharged, the lead-acid battery group 10 can be brought into a fully charged (or approximately fully charged) state by normal charging.

[2. motion]
[2.1. Charging operation]
FIG. 2 shows a charging operation by the charging control device 54. The charging control device 54 maintains the lead-acid battery group 10 in a charged state by performing the processing of steps S11 to S21.

In step S11, the switching unit 547 enables the normal charging control unit 540 to charge the lead-acid battery group 10 with normal charging (in this embodiment, constant current-constant voltage charging as an example). The switching unit 547 may cause normal charging to be performed in response to activation of the charging system 1, or may cause normal charging to be performed in response to detecting that the lead-acid battery group 10 has been discharged from the measurement result by the monitor unit 546. Charging may also be performed. The normal charging control unit 540 may continue to perform normal charging over a standard charging time (for example, 24 hours) regardless of the capacity of the lead-acid battery group 10.

In step S13, the switching unit 547 starts an on-pulse period. When step S13 is performed after the normal charging in step S11, the switching unit 547 starts the on-pulse period at a timing when a reference interval (in this embodiment, one hour as an example) has elapsed after the end of normal charging. You may do so. The switching unit 547 may receive the completion of normal charging from the normal charging control unit 540, or may detect it from the measurement result of the monitor unit 546.

In step S15, in response to the start of the on-pulse period, the switching unit 547 enables the constant current charging control unit 542 to charge the lead acid battery group 10 with constant current charging in constant current-constant voltage charging. The constant current charging control unit 542 charges the lead-acid battery group 10 until the voltage of the lead-acid battery group 10 reaches the reference voltage.

In step S17, in response to the voltage of the lead-acid battery group 10 reaching the reference voltage, the switching unit 547 enables the constant voltage charging control unit 543 to charge the lead-acid battery group 10 with constant voltage charging in constant current-constant voltage charging. Let it charge. The constant voltage charging control unit 543 charges the lead acid battery group 10 by constant voltage charging until the current flowing through the lead acid battery group 10 becomes equal to or less than the reference current. The reference current may be 10-20% of the constant current charging current. Further, the reference current may be 1/8C, that is, a current that is completely discharged in 8 hours when the battery is discharged from a fully charged state. Note that the switching unit 547 may detect from the measurement result of the monitor unit 546 that the voltage of the lead-acid battery group 10 has reached the reference voltage.

Here, the process of step S17 is performed according to the subroutine shown on the right side of the figure. That is, in step S31, the constant voltage charging control section 543 starts constant voltage charging. In step S33, the monitor unit 546 measures the current flowing through the lead-acid battery group 10, and in step S35, the switching unit 547 determines whether the measured current is less than or equal to the reference current. If the measured current is greater than the reference current (step S35; No), the switching unit 547 shifts the process to step S33, and if the measured current is less than the reference current (step S35; Yes), the switching unit 547 shifts the process to step S37. do. If the duration of constant voltage charging exceeds the reference time (one hour as an example) without the measured current falling below the reference current, the switching unit 547 times out the process in step S17 and notifies the operator. good. Then, in step S37, the constant voltage charging control section 543 ends the constant voltage charging and ends the process of step S17. Note that the switching unit 547 may end the on-pulse period in response to the end of constant voltage charging.

In step S19, in response to the completion of constant voltage charging, the switching unit 547 enables the off-pulse charging control unit 545 to charge the lead-acid battery group 10 by off-pulse charging. As an example, the off-pulse charging control unit 545 controls the current below the upper limit current (2.4 A as an example) when the voltage of any lead acid battery 100 in the lead acid battery group 10 falls below the lower limit voltage (13.28 V as an example). The lead-acid battery group 10 may be charged to the lower limit voltage by flowing the voltage. Note that the switching unit 547 may detect from the measurement result of the monitor unit 546 that constant voltage charging of the lead-acid battery group 10 has ended.

In step S21, the switching unit 547 determines whether the reference interval has elapsed from the end timing of the on-pulse period, that is, the end timing of the low voltage charging in step S17.

When the switching unit 547 determines in step S21 that the reference interval has not elapsed (step S21; No), the process proceeds to step S19. As a result, off-pulse charging is performed intermittently during the reference interval.

Moreover, when the switching unit 547 determines that the reference interval has elapsed in step S21 (step S21; Yes), the process proceeds to step S13. Accordingly, the on-pulse period begins after the reference interval has elapsed after the constant voltage charging phase ends. Furthermore, by repeatedly executing the processes of steps S13 to S21, the on-pulse period is repeatedly started at each reference interval.

According to the above operation, since the reference current is 10 to 20% of the constant current charging current, the measurement accuracy of the current flowing through the lead-acid battery group 10 can be relaxed compared to the case where the reference current is less than 10%. can. Furthermore, each lead-acid battery 100 can be reliably charged to an appropriate charge amount compared to a case where the charge amount exceeds 20%.

Further, since the on-pulse period starts again after the reference interval has elapsed after constant voltage charging in the on-pulse period ends, deterioration of the lead-acid battery 100 due to adhesion of lead sulfide to the electrodes can be reliably prevented.

[2.2. Interrupt operation during power outage]
FIG. 3 shows interrupt operation. The uninterruptible power supply 5 supplies power during a power outage by performing the processes of steps S51 to S55.

In step S51, the uninterruptible power supply 5 detects a power outage of the commercial power supply 2. As an example, the uninterruptible power supply 5 may detect a power outage based on information from the monitor unit 546. The processing in step S51 may be performed in parallel with the processing in steps S11 to S21 described above.

In step S53, the power output unit 53 discharges the lead acid battery group 10. Thereby, discharged power from the lead-acid battery group 10 is supplied to the load 3 via the DC/AC converter 52. If the processes of steps S11 to S21 are being performed in parallel, the uninterruptible power supply 5 may interrupt the processes.

Then, in step S55, the uninterruptible power supply 5 detects that the power outage has been resolved. As an example, the uninterruptible power supply 5 may detect the resolution of the power outage based on information from the monitor unit 546. When it is detected that the power outage has been resolved, the charging control device 54 of the uninterruptible power supply 5 may move the process to step S11 described above to normally charge the lead-acid battery group 10.

[3. Operating waveform]
FIG. 4 shows operating waveforms in normal charging mode. The vertical axis in the figure is the voltage (V) or charging current (A) of the lead-acid battery group 10, and the horizontal axis is time (h). Note that each lead-acid battery 100 may have a voltage of 12V and a capacity of 8.8Ah.

In the normal charging mode, the lead-acid battery group 10 is charged by constant current-constant voltage charging. In this embodiment, as an example, after the start of normal charging, the charging current is maintained at about 2.4 A and constant current charging is performed, and after the voltage of the lead-acid battery group 10 reaches about 13.8 V, this voltage is constant voltage charging is performed until a reference charging time (24 hours as an example in this figure) has elapsed from the start of normal charging.

FIG. 5 shows operational waveforms in the on-pulse charging mode when the lead-acid battery group 10 has only 100 inches of lead-acid batteries as built-in batteries. In this figure and FIG. 6, which will be described later, the vertical axis in the figure is the voltage (V) or charging current (A) of the lead-acid battery group 10, and the horizontal axis is time (s).

According to the charging control device 54 according to the present embodiment, the lead-acid battery group 10 is charged by constant current-constant voltage charging even in the on-pulse charging mode. In this embodiment, as an example, after the start of normal charging, the charging current is maintained at about 2.3 A and constant current charging is performed, and after the voltage of the lead-acid battery group 10 reaches about 13.8 V, this voltage is Constant voltage charging is performed until the current flowing through the lead-acid battery group 10 becomes equal to or less than the reference current (in this figure, as an example, about 0.3 A, which is 14% of the constant current charging current of 2.3 A). Note that in this example, charging is completed in 40 seconds from the start of on-pulse charging, and the amount of charge is approximately 9.4 mAh.

FIG. 6 shows operational waveforms in the on-pulse charging mode when the lead-acid battery group 10 includes a lead-acid battery 100in as a built-in battery and a lead-acid battery 100ext as an external battery.

In this case as well, after the start of normal charging, the charging current is maintained at approximately 2.3 A and constant current charging is performed, and after the voltage of the lead-acid battery group 10 reaches approximately 13.8 V, this voltage is maintained. Constant voltage charging is performed until the current flowing through the lead-acid battery group 10 becomes equal to or less than a reference current (approximately 0.3 A as an example in this figure). Note that in this example, charging is completed in 80 seconds from the start of on-pulse charging, and the amount of charge is approximately 18.8 mAh.

[4. Modified example]
In the above embodiment, the monitor unit 546 has been described as monitoring the state of charge of the lead-acid battery group 10, but in addition to/instead of this, deterioration of the lead-acid battery group 10 may be detected. For example, the duration of constant current charging and the duration of constant voltage charging during the on-pulse period are shortened due to a reduction in the capacity of the lead-acid battery group 10 due to removal of the lead-acid batteries 100, or due to deterioration of the lead-acid batteries 100. After a plurality of on-pulse periods have elapsed, the monitor unit 546 determines that the rate of reduction in the duration of constant current charging has fallen within a first range, and that the rate of reduction in duration of constant voltage charging has fallen within a second range. Deterioration of the lead-acid battery group 10 may be detected in accordance with at least one of the following, and a notification may be made to that effect. Thereby, deterioration of the lead-acid battery 100 can be automatically detected and notified to the operator. Here, the lower limit values of the first range and the second range regarding the reduction ratio may be a value obtained by adding a margin to the reduction ratio when the duration is measured to be the shortest due to an error. The upper limit values of the first range and the second range may be values obtained by subtracting a margin from the reduction rate when the lead acid battery 100 is removed. When the deterioration of the lead-acid battery group 10 is detected or notified based on the shortening rate of the constant current charging duration, it may be performed at any timing after the constant current charging process (step S15 as an example in this embodiment). If it is based on the reduction rate of the duration of constant voltage charging, it may be performed at any timing after the constant voltage charging process (step S17 as an example in this embodiment).

Additionally, the monitor unit 546 may calculate the capacity of the lead-acid battery group 10. That is, the duration of constant current charging and the duration of constant voltage charging during the on-pulse period increase or decrease depending on the capacity of the lead-acid battery group 10, respectively. The monitor unit 546 may calculate the capacity of the lead-acid battery group 10 according to at least one of these durations. In this case, charging control device 54 can acquire information regarding the capacity of lead-acid battery 100 without input operations by the operator. When the capacity of the lead-acid battery group 10 is calculated based on the duration of constant current charging, it may be performed at any timing after the constant current charging process (step S15 as an example in this embodiment). If it is based on the duration of constant voltage charging, it may be performed at any timing after the constant voltage charging process (in this embodiment, step S17 as an example).

Moreover, although the switching unit 547 has been described as switching the charging mode of the charging control device 54, in addition to/instead of this, the current in constant current charging during the on-pulse period may be changed. For example, when the capacity of the lead-acid battery group 10 is calculated, the switching unit 547 may change the current for constant current charging in the next on-pulse period according to the capacity. As an example, the switching unit 547 may increase the current as the capacity increases. This makes it possible to suppress variations in the duration of constant current charging due to variations in capacity. The current is changed by the switching unit 547 at any timing from when the capacity of the lead-acid battery group 10 is calculated to when constant current charging is performed during the next on-pulse period (step S13 as an example in this embodiment). It's okay to be hurt.

Furthermore, although the charging device has been described as an uninterruptible power supply device, it may be any other device that charges one or more lead-acid batteries 100. For example, the charging device may be a power conversion device such as a PCS (Power Conditioning Subsystem), or a device that does not perform power conversion.

Additionally, various embodiments of the invention may be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams, in which blocks represent (1) the stages of a process in which operations are performed or (2) the roles in which operations are performed. may represent a section of equipment that has Certain steps and sections may be implemented by dedicated circuitry, programmable circuitry provided with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, and/or a processor provided with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. It's fine. Specialized circuits may include digital and/or analog hardware circuits, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and/or discrete circuits. Programmable circuits include logic AND, logic OR, logic Reconfigurable hardware circuits may include reconfigurable hardware circuits, including, for example.

A computer-readable medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions for execution by a suitable device, such that the computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon is illustrated in a flowchart or block diagram. An article of manufacture will be provided that includes instructions that can be executed to create a means for performing the operations. Examples of computer readable media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, and the like. More specific examples of computer readable media include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM or flash memory), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), Blu-ray (RTM) Disc, Memory Stick, Integrated Circuit cards etc. may be included.

Computer-readable instructions include assembler instructions, Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state configuration data, or object-oriented programming such as Smalltalk, JAVA, C++, etc. language, and either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including traditional procedural programming languages such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. good.

Computer-readable instructions may be implemented on a processor or programmable circuit of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, either locally or over a wide area network (WAN), such as a local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc. ), computer-readable instructions may be executed to create a means for performing the operations specified in the flowchart or block diagrams. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, and the like.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example computer 2200 in which aspects of the invention may be implemented, in whole or in part. A program installed on computer 2200 may cause computer 2200 to function as an operation or one or more sections of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, or to perform one or more operations associated with an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Sections and/or computer 2200 may be caused to perform a process or a step of a process according to an embodiment of the invention. Such programs may be executed by CPU 2212 to cause computer 2200 to perform certain operations associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

Computer 2200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 2212, RAM 2214, graphics controller 2216, and display device 2218, which are interconnected by host controller 2210. The computer 2200 also includes input/output units such as a communication interface 2222, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM drive 2226, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 2210 via an input/output controller 2220. There is. The computer also includes legacy input/output units, such as ROM 2230 and keyboard 2242, which are connected to input/output controller 2220 via input/output chip 2240.

CPU 2212 operates according to programs stored in ROM 2230 and RAM 2214, thereby controlling each unit. Graphics controller 2216 obtains image data generated by CPU 2212, such as in a frame buffer provided in RAM 2214 or itself, and causes the image data to be displayed on display device 2218.

Communication interface 2222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. Hard disk drive 2224 stores programs and data used by CPU 2212 within computer 2200. DVD-ROM drive 2226 reads programs or data from DVD-ROM 2201 and provides the programs or data to hard disk drive 2224 via RAM 2214. The IC card drive reads programs and data from and/or writes programs and data to the IC card.

ROM 2230 stores therein programs that are dependent on the computer 2200 hardware, such as a boot program that is executed by the computer 2200 upon activation. Input/output chip 2240 may also connect various input/output units to input/output controller 2220 via parallel ports, serial ports, keyboard ports, mouse ports, etc.

A program is provided by a computer readable medium such as a DVD-ROM 2201 or an IC card. The program is read from a computer readable medium, installed on hard disk drive 2224, RAM 2214, or ROM 2230, which are also examples of computer readable media, and executed by CPU 2212. The information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 2200 and provides coordination between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or method may be configured to implement the manipulation or processing of information according to the use of computer 2200.

For example, when communication is performed between the computer 2200 and an external device, the CPU 2212 executes a communication program loaded into the RAM 2214 and sends communication processing to the communication interface 2222 based on the processing written in the communication program. You may give orders. The communication interface 2222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in a recording medium such as a RAM 2214, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM 2201, or an IC card under the control of the CPU 2212, and transmits the read transmission data. Data is transmitted to the network, or received data received from the network is written to a reception buffer processing area provided on the recording medium.

Further, the CPU 2212 causes the RAM 2214 to read all or a necessary part of a file or database stored in an external recording medium such as a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM drive 2226 (DVD-ROM 2201), an IC card, etc. Various types of processing may be performed on data on RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 then writes back the processed data to the external recording medium.

Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on a recording medium and subjected to information processing. The CPU 2212 performs various types of operations, information processing, conditional determination, conditional branching, unconditional branching, and information retrieval on the data read from the RAM 2214 as described elsewhere in this disclosure and specified by the instruction sequence of the program. Various types of processing may be performed, including /substitutions, etc., and the results are written back to RAM 2214. Further, the CPU 2212 may search for information in a file in a recording medium, a database, or the like. For example, if a plurality of entries are stored in the recording medium, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, the CPU 2212 search the plurality of entries for an entry that matches the condition, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby associate it with the first attribute that satisfies the predetermined condition. The attribute value of the second attribute may be acquired.

The programs or software modules described above may be stored on computer readable media on or near computer 2200. Also, a recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as a computer-readable medium, thereby providing the program to the computer 2200 via the network. do.

Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the range described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the embodiments described above. It is clear from the claims that such modifications or improvements may be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

The order of execution of each process, such as the operation, procedure, step, and stage in the apparatus, system, program, and method shown in the claims, specification, and drawings, is specifically defined as "before" or "before". It should be noted that they can be implemented in any order unless the output of the previous process is used in the subsequent process. Even if the claims, specifications, and operational flows in the drawings are explained using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, this does not mean that it is essential to carry out the operations in this order. It's not a thing.

1 charging system, 2 commercial power supply, 3 load, 5 uninterruptible power supply, 10 lead acid battery group, 50 external terminal, 51 AC/DC converter, 52 DC/AC converter, 53 power output section, 54 charging control device, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 lead-acid battery, 540 normal charge control section, 541 on-pulse charge control section, 542 constant current charge control section, 543 constant voltage charge control section, 545 off-pulse charge control section, 546 monitor section, 547 switching section, 2200 computer, 2201 DVD- ROM, 2210 host controller, 2212 CPU, 2214 RAM, 2216 graphic controller, 2218 display device, 2220 input/output controller, 2222 communication interface, 2224 hard disk drive, 2226 DVD-ROM drive, 2230 ROM, 2240 input/output chip, 2 242 keyboard

Claims (16)

in each on-pulse period of pulse charging for a lead-acid battery group including one or more lead-acid batteries, a constant current charging step of charging the lead-acid battery group by constant current charging until the voltage of the lead-acid battery group reaches a reference voltage;
After the constant current charging step, a constant voltage charging step of charging the lead acid battery group by constant voltage charging until the current flowing through the lead acid battery group becomes equal to or less than a reference current;
a normal charging step in which the lead-acid battery group is charged by normal charging before the constant current charging step in response to the lead-acid battery group being discharged;
Equipped with
In the normal charging, the lead-acid battery group is charged by constant current charging until the voltage of the lead-acid battery group reaches another reference voltage, and then the lead-acid battery group is charged until a reference charging time elapses from the start of the constant current charging. A charging control method that charges by constant voltage charging . in each on-pulse period of pulse charging for a lead-acid battery group including one or more lead-acid batteries, a constant current charging step of charging the lead-acid battery group by constant current charging until the voltage of the lead-acid battery group reaches a reference voltage;
After the constant current charging step, a constant voltage charging step of charging the lead acid battery group by constant voltage charging until the current flowing through the lead acid battery group becomes equal to or less than a reference current;
an on-pulse period starting step of repeatedly starting an on-pulse period of starting an on-pulse period every time a reference interval elapses after the constant voltage charging step;
A charging control method comprising : The charging control method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lead acid battery group includes at least one lead acid battery connected in a detachable manner. The constant voltage charging step charges the lead acid battery group by constant voltage charging until the current flowing through the lead acid battery group becomes equal to or less than the reference current, regardless of the capacity of the lead acid battery group. The charging control method according to any one of the items. The charging control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reference current is 10 to 20% of a constant current charging current. The charging control method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the constant voltage charging step includes a current measuring step of measuring a current flowing through the group of lead-acid batteries. The charging control method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , further comprising a calculation step of calculating the capacity of the lead-acid battery group according to the duration of the constant current charging. 8. The charging control method according to claim 7 , further comprising a current changing step of changing a constant current charging current in the next on-pulse period according to the capacity of the lead acid battery group calculated in the calculating step. After the plurality of on-pulse periods have elapsed, at least one of the following: the rate of reduction in the duration of constant current charging has fallen within a first range, and the rate of reduction in duration of constant voltage charging has fallen within a second range. The charging control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , further comprising a deterioration notification step of notifying deterioration of the lead-acid battery group in accordance with the deterioration of the lead-acid battery group. a constant current charging control unit that charges the lead acid battery group by constant current charging during each on-pulse period of pulse charging for a lead acid battery group including one or more lead acid batteries until the voltage of the lead acid battery group reaches a reference voltage;
a constant voltage charging control unit that charges the lead acid battery group by constant voltage charging until the current flowing through the lead acid battery group becomes equal to or less than a reference current when the lead acid battery group is charged with a constant current;
a normal charge control section that charges the lead acid battery group by normal charging before constant current charging by the constant current charge control section in response to the discharge of the lead acid battery group;
Equipped with
In the normal charging, the lead-acid battery group is charged by constant current charging until the voltage of the lead-acid battery group reaches another reference voltage, and then the lead-acid battery group is charged until a reference charging time elapses from the start of the constant current charging. A charging control device that charges the battery using constant voltage charging . a constant current charging control unit that charges the lead acid battery group by constant current charging during each on-pulse period of pulse charging for a lead acid battery group including one or more lead acid batteries until the voltage of the lead acid battery group reaches a reference voltage;
a constant voltage charging control unit that charges the lead acid battery group by constant voltage charging until the current flowing through the lead acid battery group becomes equal to or less than a reference current when the lead acid battery group is charged with a constant current;
an on-pulse period start part that repeatedly starts an on-pulse period every time a reference interval passes after the constant voltage charging ends;
A charging control device comprising : The charging control device according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the lead acid battery group includes at least one lead acid battery connected in a detachable manner. The constant voltage charging control unit charges the lead acid battery group by constant voltage charging until the current flowing through the lead acid battery group becomes equal to or less than the reference current, regardless of the capacity of the lead acid battery group . The charging control device according to any one of the above. The charging control device according to any one of claims 10 to 13 , further comprising a current measuring unit that measures a current flowing through the lead-acid battery group. a power output unit that outputs charging power for charging a lead-acid battery group including one or more lead-acid batteries;
The charging control device according to any one of claims 10 to 14 ,
A charging device equipped with. a lead-acid battery group including one or more lead-acid batteries;
The charging device according to claim 15 ,
A charging system equipped with

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